Hooverball with Light Medicine Balls
A school version of Hooverball, an American sport played by throwing and catching a medicine ball over a high net, scored like tennis. Students build upper-body strength, learn to catch a heavy object safely, and work as a team.
How to play
- Volleyball courts with the net at about 7 ft 3 in; teams of 3 or 4. With 25 students, run 3 courts with one team rotating in each game.
- Technique (4 min) in pairs 10 ft apart: catch with slightly bent arms and pull the ball to the chest; throw with two hands from the chest or overhead.
- The ball is caught and thrown from the same spot with no passing between teammates. It must clear the net and land inside the opposite court.
- The throwing team scores if the ball hits the floor in the other court or the other team drops it. The other team scores if the throw does not clear the net or lands out.
- Tennis scoring (15, 30, 40, game); serve from the end line, alternating the serving team each game.
- Play 5-minute games; the losing team steps off and the waiting team comes on. Players rotate positions clockwise after every point.
Rules
- Use only 2-lb (1 kg) medicine balls; never throw at an opponent's face or body from close range.
- Always throw with two hands, a flat back, and bent knees.
- If a throw comes in too hard, let it drop: losing a point is better than getting hurt.
- Nobody goes under the net during play.
Variations
Easier
Lower the net to 6 ft and allow one pass to a teammate before throwing.
Standard
Net at 7 ft 3 in, catching and throwing from the same spot.
Harder
Throw within 3 seconds of catching, and only overhead throws count.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student plays seated near the net with a lighter medicine ball or a volleyball.
- Shyness: start with 2v2 courts and trusted partners.
- Lower fitness: use a light rubber medicine ball and longer rests between games.
Learning goals
- Catch and throw a heavy object using safe technique.
- Build upper-body strength through game play.
- Learn about an uncommon sport and its history.
Equipment for a class of 25
- 2-lb medicine balls: 4
- nets: 3
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
Warm up shoulders, wrists, and the lower back first, and check that every ball weighs the same. Tell students the game was invented by a doctor to keep a US president fit; it usually gets them interested.
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