Giant Ball Push Target Throw

Two teams throw foam balls at a giant ball placed in the center to push it toward the other team's line. The activity builds accurate and forceful throwing, quick ball retrieval, and team decision-making.

How to play

1. Use cones to mark a 65 x 50-foot court with a center line and a throwing line 13 feet from the center on each side; place the giant ball on the center line (2 min).
2. Make two teams in pinnies, each behind its own throwing line, and give each team 12 foam balls (1 min).
3. On the whistle, everyone throws at the giant ball to push it toward the other team's end line; balls that roll into your area are picked up and thrown again (4 min per round).
4. If the giant ball crosses a team's throwing line, that team moves its line back 10 feet, and if it reaches the end line, the other team scores the point.
5. After each point, the giant ball goes back to the center and a new round begins; play three rounds with 1 minute of rest in between.
6. Last round: students may only throw with their non-dominant hand (3 min).

Rules

• Always throw from behind your own line; touching the giant ball with your body is not allowed.
• Never throw at a classmate or an opponent, only at the giant ball.
• Balls left between the two throwing lines stay there or are collected by the teacher.
• When the whistle blows, everyone stops throwing immediately.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student has a throwing spot 3 feet closer and a partner collects balls for them.
• Shy or hesitant students: assign the "loader" role, passing balls to throwers, with the option to throw anytime.
• Advanced students: they may only throw after receiving a pass from a teammate.

Learning goals

• Throw with force and accuracy at a moving target.
• Decide as a team where to hit the giant ball to move it.
• Respect the lines and the rule of never throwing at people.

Equipment for a class of 25

• giant ball: 1
• foam balls: 24
• cones: 12
• pinnies in two colors: 25

Teacher tip

Point out that the team that collects fastest wins, not the one that throws hardest; encourage teams to organize retrievers. If you don't have a giant ball, a large beach ball or a stability ball works.

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