Inner-Outer Circle Passing Rotation
Two circles, one facing out and one facing in, form partners who pass a ball for 30 seconds. On each whistle the inner circle rotates one spot, so both the partner and the type of pass change. It warms up the arms and builds passing, catching and connections across the class.
How to play
- Place 12 cones in a circle about 6 m (20 ft) across from the center and 12 more in an outer circle 3 m farther out. One student per cone: the inner circle faces out and the outer circle faces in. The extra student is the teacher's helper (1 min).
- Each pair has one ball. For 30 seconds they pass using the task the teacher calls: chest, bounce, overhead, non-dominant hand or clap before catching.
- On the whistle, the inner circle shuffles one cone to the right while the ball stays with the outer circle. Students greet the new partner by name before the first pass.
- Every 3 rotations, the outer circle jogs one lap around the whole setup while the inner circle does 10 squats; the helper swaps places with someone.
- Run 10 rotations with a different task each time, passing for 30 seconds per rotation (6 min).
- In the last 2 rotations, each pair counts how many passes in a row it makes without dropping the ball (1 min).
Rules
- During the rotation, the ball always stays with the outer circle.
- Keep the 3 m distance: no stepping in to make the pass easier.
- Safety: look in the direction you are shuffling, and nobody cuts through the middle.
Variations
Easier
Chest passes only at 2 m, rotating every 45 seconds.
Standard
Circles 3 m apart, rotating every 30 seconds with a new pass type each time.
Harder
Two balls per pair: one bounce pass and one overhead pass at the same time.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student in a wheelchair stays in the outer circle while classmates rotate to them, and passes arrive at chest height.
- Autism or shy students: preview the task sequence with the student and place them in the outer circle so they don't have to rotate.
- Skill level: students who struggle use a foam ball, and confident passers use their non-dominant hand.
Learning goals
- Pass and catch with different techniques at a fixed distance.
- Adjust to a different partner each rotation.
- Gradually warm up the arms, shoulders and legs.
Equipment for a class of 25
- balls: 12
- cones: 24
Teacher tip
This is very useful at the start of the year for learning names.
PatioLab has "Inner-Outer Circle Passing Rotation" and 2499 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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