Kickball with Opponent-Made Rules
A kickball game in which each team writes a new rule the other team must follow when kicking. A mixed committee approves each rule only if it's fair, so students practice negotiation and empathy toward the opponent.
How to play
- Set up a kickball diamond with bases 15 m (50 ft) apart and make 2 teams of 12; one student is the base umpire.
- Each team writes a rule for the other team on cardstock, such as 'kick with your weaker leg' or 'hop on one foot to first base' (3 min).
- A committee of two students from each team checks both rules: if a rule is impossible or unsafe, it's rewritten until everyone accepts it (3 min).
- Play 3 innings of about 5 minutes: the kicking team follows the opponent's rule; three outs or everyone kicks and teams switch.
- At the end, each team rates how fair the rule it received was from 1 to 5.
- Wrap-up (3 min): did we write rules to win, or to make the game better?
Rules
- Any rule that humiliates or endangers someone is rejected.
- The base umpire has the final say on outs.
- Everyone kicks once before anyone kicks again.
- Safety: outs are made by hitting below the waist, never throwing at the head.
Variations
Easier
The teacher offers a list of rules to choose from.
Standard
Each team invents one rule and the mixed committee approves it.
Harder
Each team writes two rules and the opponent picks which applies each inning.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: kick a stationary ball with a pinch runner.
- Autism: show the rule in writing and with a picture before kicking.
- Highly skilled players: must walk backward to first base on their first run.
Learning goals
- Negotiate fair rules with the opposing team.
- Take the opponent's perspective when designing a game.
- Kick, run and throw accurately in a striking game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft balls: 2
- bases: 4
- cones: 6
- cardstock: 4
Teacher tip
Check the committee's rules before play: the temptation to write impossible rules is strong. Praise the fairest and most creative rule out loud.
PatioLab has "Kickball with Opponent-Made Rules" and 3999 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for Middle School
1-2-3 Touch Cooperative Rally
Two groups of three, one on each side of the net, work together to keep the longest rally possible in three phases: one touch, two touches, and three touches per side.
1-on-1 Mini Volleyball Up and Down the River
One-on-one mini volleyball duels on 3 x 3 m courts under a rope 2 m high, using a receive, self-set and send rule.
1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball
One-on-one games on narrow 10 x 20 foot courts where each player must self-pass before sending the ball over.
1-on-1 Side-Step Square Duels
In pairs, inside 5 x 5 m squares, an attacker holding a football tries to get from the starting side to the far side without the defender pulling a flag.
1v1 Four-Gate Soccer Duels
In a square with a gate on each side, two players go head to head and score by dribbling through any of the four gates.
2-on-1 Fast Break with a Chasing Defender
Two attackers push a fast break against a defender waiting at the basket while a second defender chases from behind with a few yards' head start against them.