Llargues Run: Long Hits and Street Movement

A warm-up inspired by joc de llargues, a Valencian pelota style played in the street without a wall, with teams facing each other down its length. It combines running, hand striking and reading the ball's path.

How to play

1. Intro: in llargues the ball travels from one team to the other along the street; today the schoolyard lane is our street (1 min).
2. Jog down the lane between cones with high knees, butt kicks and side shuffles (2 min).
3. Hit and run: groups of four, two on each end ten meters apart; one hand-hits the ball to the other side and runs to line up behind their partner (4 min).
4. Reading the path: the receiver must stop the ball before it stops rolling and send it back from there; distance grows every minute (3 min).

Rules

• Hit with an open palm, never a fist.
• Hit toward your own group only, never into other lanes.
• Check the lane is clear before you run.
• Receivers may use both hands to stop the ball.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: use a rolling bell ball and have the partner clap to orient.
• Limited mobility: the student is the fixed hitter in their lane and the others rotate around them.
• Ankle injury: replace running with brisk walking and stay in the receiver spot.

Learning goals

• Raise heart rate gradually with running and striking.
• Read the ball's path to get there early.
• Learn about a Valencian pelota style played without a wall.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam balls: 8
• cones: 8

Teacher tip

If you don't have foam balls, old tennis balls work. Set the lanes side by side with everyone hitting in the same direction to avoid crossings.

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