Marn Grook: Aboriginal Australian Kick and Catch
A game of the Aboriginal peoples of southeastern Australia, who kicked a possum-skin ball high into the air and leaped to catch it. In the school version, the kicker calls a number and the two players with that number compete for the catch. Students work on kicking and high catches.
How to play
- Mark two 20 x 15 yard fields. Form 4 teams of 6 (one with 7) in pinnies, numbered 1 to 6; two teams per field (2 min).
- In pairs, practice dropping the ball from the hands and punting it upward with the top of the foot before it lands (3 min).
- One player kicks from the center, calling a number first. Only the two players with that number, one per team, go for the ball.
- A catch on the fly scores a point, and the catcher kicks from there with a new number. If the ball lands, the team that did not kick takes the next kick.
- Everyone else spreads out, stays 2 yards from the pair going for the ball, and moves to a new spot after each kick.
- Play two 7-minute halves, switching opponents for the second (15 min).
Rules
- Only the two players whose number was called go for the ball.
- Jump straight up, never into the opponent; no pushing or leaning.
- No calling the same number twice in a row.
- If both catch it together, both teams score.
Variations
Easier
Catches after one bounce count, and kicks are lower.
Standard
Catches on the fly, with two players competing for each called number.
Harder
Call two numbers at once, and only jumping catches count.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student receives high hand-thrown passes and scores by catching them on the fly.
- Visual impairment: use a bright ball, and a partner calls out which side it is falling on.
- Skill level: a student who struggles to kick may toss the ball high by hand.
Learning goals
- Punt the ball from the hands with height and direction.
- Judge the flight of a high ball to catch it on the fly.
- Learn about an Aboriginal Australian game and respect its cultural roots.
Equipment for a class of 25
- foam balls: 6
- pinnies: 25
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
'Marn grook' means 'game ball' in Aboriginal languages of Victoria. The usual mistake is watching the opponent: have students track the ball all the way into their hands.
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