Indiaca Hoop Target Partners

In pairs, one on each side of a rope strung at head height, students hit the indiaca with an open palm so it lands in the hoops on the other side. It builds the underhand hit, aiming, and judging how hard to strike.

How to play

1. String the long rope at about 5.5 ft and mark 10 x 10 ft mini courts on each side, one per pair, with 3 hoops: near the rope, in the middle, and at the back.
2. Teach the hit (2 min): hold the indiaca in the non-dominant hand at waist height, drop it, and strike it with an open palm from low to high, following through toward the target.
3. Practice round (4 min): partners send the indiaca back and forth over the rope; the receiver catches it with two hands and sends it back with a hit.
4. Target game (8 min): taking turns, each player serves from behind their back-line cone. Landing in the near hoop scores 1 point, the middle hoop 2, and the back hoop 3. The partner picks it up and serves next.
5. If the receiver catches the indiaca in the air, the serve does not score and the catcher earns a bonus serve.
6. On the whistle, each pair records its total and rotates one court to the right to face a new partner (2 rounds of 2 min).

Rules

• Hit only with an open hand, never a fist.
• Pick up the indiaca only after your partner has finished serving.
• Never duck under the rope to get an indiaca from another court; ask for it and toss it back.
• Call out the result of every serve so there are no arguments.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: play seated or in a wheelchair with a lower rope and closer hoops, keeping the same point values.
• Autism or shyness: keep the same partner all class and use a picture card that shows the steps of the hit.
• Advanced students: hit with the non-dominant hand to earn a bonus point.

Learning goals

• Strike the indiaca with an open palm from low to high toward a target.
• Adjust force to the distance of each hoop.
• Take turns and keep score honestly.

Equipment for a class of 25

• indiacas: 13
• long rope: 2
• hoops: 36
• cones: 26

Teacher tip

The usual mistake is hitting with the fingers or a fist; stress a firm palm and dropping the indiaca rather than tossing it up. Keep spare indiacas handy because the feathers wear out.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary