Invent-a-Sport: Design an Invasion Game

In groups, students design a brand-new invasion game with an objective, rules, scoring and a safety rule, teach it to another group and play it. Students learn the underlying logic of team sports, think creatively and cooperate.

How to play

1. Review what invasion games share: playing area, object, goal, scoring and contact rules. Make four groups of 6; the extra student is safety inspector (2 min).
2. Each group picks up to three kinds of equipment and writes on butcher paper the name, objective, five rules, scoring and a safety rule (8 min).
3. Test run: each group plays its game 3-on-3 and fixes what does not work (3 min).
4. In paired groups, A teaches its game to B and they play 6-on-6; then B teaches theirs (2 + 5 min each).
5. The visiting group rates the game: Was everyone involved? Was it safe? Was it fun? (2 min).
6. Wrap-up: post the posters and the class votes on a game for a future class (3 min).

Rules

• Every game includes a rule that prevents pushing and tackling.
• Nobody is out for more than 30 seconds.
• The inspector may veto unsafe equipment or rules.
• No hard objects are thrown.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the group writes a rule that guarantees their active role, such as a protected zone.
• Autism: give a clear role, like rules writer, and a template with sections.
• Lower fitness: the design may include a rest zone or free subs.

Learning goals

• Identify the structural elements of invasion games.
• Design a safe, inclusive game with rules as a group.
• Teach a new game to others.

Equipment for a class of 25

• assorted equipment
• cones: 20
• pinnies: 12
• butcher paper: 4
• markers: 4

Teacher tip

Stock a cart with safe equipment: soft balls, hoops, cones and discs. Groups write too many rules: cap it at five so play starts quickly.

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