Kids' Ki-o-rahi
A school version of ki-o-rahi, a traditional Maori game from New Zealand played on a circular field: one team scores by touching posts with the ball and converts those points by knocking down a center target. Students build strategy, passing and teamwork.
How to play
- Mark a 50 ft radius circle with 7 tall cones on the edge (the pou) and a 10 ft center circle holding an upside-down bucket (the tupu). Two teams of 6 in pinnies; the rest rotate in.
- The attacking team starts from the edge with the ball. They score 1 point each time a player touches a pou while holding the ball.
- The defending team tries to tag the ball carrier with a hand; a tagged carrier must pass within 3 seconds. Nobody may enter the center circle.
- To convert their points, attackers must knock over the tupu by throwing the ball from outside the center circle. If they miss, play continues.
- If defenders intercept or the ball hits the ground, the teams switch roles and any unconverted points are lost.
- Play 4 games of 5 minutes, rotating teams, with 1 minute between games to plan who touches pou and who throws.
Rules
- Tag with a hand, no grabbing or pushing.
- After a tag, the carrier must pass within 3 seconds.
- Nobody steps in the center circle; a defender brings out any ball that stops inside.
- Safety: throw at the tupu with moderate force and never at other players.
Variations
Easier
Attackers keep their points even if they lose the ball, and the center circle is 6 ft.
Standard
Points for touching pou that only count once the tupu is knocked down.
Harder
Each pou may be touched only once per possession, and pou must be touched in order.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student plays as a tupu thrower from a safe zone next to the center circle, where they can't be tagged.
- Autism: explain the field with a drawing, let the student watch one game and give them a set role in the first one.
- Lower skill level: a pou touched by this student is worth 2 points.
Learning goals
- Make passing and getting-open decisions to score and convert points.
- Share attacking roles within the team.
- Learn a traditional Maori game and the legend behind it.
Equipment for a class of 25
- foam balls: 2
- cones: 20
- buckets: 2
- pinnies: 12
Teacher tip
The game is based on the legend of Princess Rahi; tell it briefly to get students excited. Simplify further if the group gets lost: what matters is touching pou and converting.
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