Hockey Passes Down the Rope Hallway

In pairs, children pass a big ball by pushing it with half a pool noodle like a hockey stick, inside a hallway marked with two ropes. It works on controlling the stick, passing and stopping the ball.

How to play

1. The teacher lays two parallel ropes per pair to make a hallway and shows how to hold the noodle with two hands, one high and one lower (2 min).
2. Each child dribbles the ball with the noodle down the hallway, slowly, like walking a puppy (2 min).
3. In pairs, one at each end of the hallway: we push the ball toward our friend and they stop it with the noodle (4 min).
4. Before passing, we say our friend's name, and they answer "Here!" with the noodle on the ground (3 min).
5. Two pairs team up, pass the ball around in a square, and then we put the equipment away (2 min).

Rules

• The noodle always touches the ground.
• I push the ball, I don't smack it.
• I stop the ball before passing it back.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a full-length noodle to reach the ground from the wheelchair and a wider hallway.
• Visual impairment: a ball with a bell, and the partner calls their name to show where to pass.
• Less skill: a bigger, slightly deflated ball that doesn't roll as far.

Learning goals

• Dribble and pass a ball with a long tool.
• Stop the ball before passing it back.
• Cooperate with a partner when passing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Pool noodles: 25
• Large rubber balls: 13
• Ropes: 13

Teacher tip

The rope hallway keeps balls from rolling away and keeps pairs from mixing. Kids tend to lift the noodle over their shoulder, so say "the hockey stick kisses the ground".

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