Four-Corner Ball Raid with a Peace Bench
Four teams race to raid balls from each other's nests, and any disagreement is settled on the peace bench using four steps. Students work on speed and decision-making, and above all learn to solve conflicts without the teacher stepping in.
How to play
- Mark a 22-yard square with a hoop in each corner as a nest and 12 balls in the middle. Make four teams of 6, one per corner, and put a gym bench on one side.
- On the signal, each player grabs one ball from the middle or another nest and carries it home. One ball at a time, and no guarding your own nest.
- Peace bench: if two players disagree, they leave the ball, sit together, and follow four steps: breathe, tell what happened without interrupting, suggest a solution, and give a high five.
- If there is no agreement within a minute, they settle it with rock-paper-scissors and go back in. The teacher only watches and does not decide.
- Play 4 rounds of 3 minutes; the team with the most balls at the whistle wins the round. Rest 1 minute between rounds and count how many conflicts were solved without help.
- Wrap-up (3 min): Which step is hardest? Why is it better to solve it yourselves?
Rules
- No throwing balls into nests: carry them.
- No grabbing or pushing; if there is a collision, go to the peace bench.
- The bench is not a punishment: players who use it well get a round of applause.
Variations
Easier
Use more balls than players and only allow taking balls from the middle.
Standard
Raid freely from the middle and other nests, with the peace bench.
Harder
Players must dribble each ball home and ball values change by color every round.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility can be the peace bench keeper who reminds players of the steps.
- For students with autism, post the four steps with pictures on a card taped to the bench.
- For fitter students, place their nest farther away or have them shuffle sideways.
Learning goals
- Use a simple process to resolve game conflicts.
- Manage anger and frustration during an intense activity.
- Make quick decisions about which nest to raid.
Equipment for a class of 25
- balls: 12
- hoops: 4
- cones: 8
- gym bench: 1
Teacher tip
Expect lots of bench visits at first, which is a good sign: remind them of the steps, but do not hand them the answer.
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