Leader Ball

A "leader" faces their team and passes the ball to each player in the line, who passes it back; when the leader finishes, they rotate out and a new leader steps in. It works on passing and catching with different pass types, focus, and organization.

How to play

1. Make 5 teams of 5. On each team, the "leader" stands 10 feet (3 m) in front of the other 4, who stand shoulder to shoulder behind a cone line (2 minutes).
2. The leader makes a two-hand chest pass to the first player in line, who passes it back; then to the second player, and so on down to the last.
3. When the last player passes back, the leader calls "Switch!", jogs behind the line to the end spot, and the first player in line becomes the new leader.
4. The round ends when everyone has been the leader; then the team sits down and raises their hands.
5. Each new round, call a new pass: bounce pass, overhead pass, rolling pass, or one-handed pass. Play 6 rounds of just over 1 minute each.
6. If the ball drops, the player who lost it picks it up and repeats the pass from their spot. Time the last round so teams can try to beat their own time.

Rules

• The leader may not skip anyone in the line.
• No hard throws: every pass must be catchable.
• Leaders switch by going behind the line, never across the front.
• A pass only counts if the teammate catches it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair can be the leader for several rounds in a row or receive chest-height passes in the line.
• Hearing impairment: signal the leader switch by raising the ball as well as calling it out.
• Skill level: place receivers who need support in the middle of the line, closest to the leader.

Learning goals

• Pass and catch accurately using different types of passes.
• Stay focused to respond in the right order.
• Take on both the leader and teammate roles.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam balls: 5
• cones: 10

Teacher tip

Start slowly so students understand the rotation; once they've got it, add the stopwatch. Correct stiff-armed catching: make a basket with the hands and keep elbows bent.

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