Gaga Ball Pit Game

A game that started in Israel and became hugely popular at American summer camps and schools. Inside a walled pit, players strike the ball with a hand to hit others below the knee. Students work on striking, quick reactions, and fair play.

How to play

1. Set up two pits about 6 yards across: one of 8 gym benches on their sides in an octagon, another of mats standing against the wall and cones. Put 12-13 students in each pit (3 min).
2. Everyone touches the wall with one hand. Toss the ball in, and the group chants 'ga, ga, ga' on the first three bounces; then the ball is live.
3. Hit the ball with an open hand or fist, never catch it, and no one touches it twice in a row unless it hits the wall first.
4. If it hits you below the knee, or you hit it out of the pit on the fly, you are out: jog a lap around the pit, do 5 jumping jacks, and climb back in.
5. Play 4-minute rounds and swap half of each group to the other pit every round (16 min).

Rules

• Hands only; no kicking.
• Hits above the knee do not count.
• No climbing on or pushing off benches or mats.
• Strike the ball downward, never at anyone's face.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: for a student in a wheelchair, only a ball touching the wheels or feet counts.
• Hearing impairment: also start each round by raising a pinnie.
• Confidence: a student who feels unsure starts in the slower mat pit.

Learning goals

• Strike the ball with the hand, aiming it downward.
• React quickly to dodge or jump the ball.
• Practice fair play by calling yourself out when hit.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym benches: 8
• mats: 8
• foam balls: 3

Teacher tip

The name comes from the Hebrew word 'ga', meaning touch. Honesty is the hardest part: praise students who call themselves out, and stand by the benches where you can see feet clearly.

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