Hoop Ring Toss

In groups of four, students toss small hoops to ring tall cones or poles set in cones at different distances. The activity builds accuracy, a flat toss with a wrist snap, and judging distance, with a point system by difficulty.

How to play

1. Set up six stations: a throwing line and three targets at 6, 10, and 13 feet, a tall cone, a cone with a pole in it, and another tall cone, worth 1, 2, and 3 points (3 min).
2. Teach the toss: hoop held flat by the rim, arm swings low to high, and a wrist snap on release so the hoop flies flat (2 min).
3. In groups of 4, each student tosses 3 hoops, adds up the points, collects the hoops, and goes to the back of the line (6 min).
4. On the whistle, groups rotate to another station with different distances and targets (3 min).
5. Final challenge (4 min): the group picks one target and counts how many hoops they ring together in 2 minutes.

Rules

• Toss from behind the line and take turns.
• No one collects hoops until the last person in the turn has tossed.
• A hoop leaning on the cone without ringing it doesn't score.
• Toss hoops low to high, never sideways.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student tosses from a wheelchair at closer targets while a partner returns the hoops.
• Visual impairment: a partner claps next to the target, and brightly colored cones are used.
• Advanced students: they only score on the farthest target and must call it before tossing.

Learning goals

• Toss a hoop flat using a wrist snap.
• Adjust force to the distance of the target.
• Set a point goal and check whether it was reached.

Equipment for a class of 25

• small hoops: 24
• tall cones: 18
• poles: 6

Teacher tip

Hoops about 16 to 20 inches across work best; large ones don't fly well. If you have no poles, ring tall cones or water bottles filled with sand.

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