Medicine Ball Shot Put Bocce
A bocce-style accuracy game where students put a medicine ball with shot put technique, trying to stop it as close as possible to a target hoop. Students practice pushing from the neck and, above all, controlling how much force they use.
How to play
- Teams of 3 vs. 3 on a 50-ft lane, with a chalk circle or hoop as the throwing area at one end; each student has a 4 lb medicine ball (or teams share and take turns).
- One player places the target hoop 15–30 ft from the circle; the team that starts chooses the distance (2 min).
- Alternating turns, each player puts their ball from the circle, trying to have it stop as close to the hoop as possible.
- Once all six have thrown, the team with the closest ball scores 1 point for each of its balls closer than the other team's best; measure with steps or a tape.
- The team that wins the round places the hoop for the next one; play rounds of about 2 min up to 9 points or 14 min.
- Afterward, switch opponents and play one final 3-min round with the hoop at the maximum distance.
Rules
- Always throw from inside the circle with the ball at the neck: an underhand or sidearm throw is removed from play.
- No one steps into the lane until everyone in the round has thrown.
- Balls are rolled back, never thrown to a teammate.
- A ball may knock another ball away, but only by putting it, never by kicking it.
Variations
Easier
Use a 2 lb ball and a large hoop 12–20 ft away.
Standard
Use a 4 lb ball with the hoop 15–30 ft away.
Harder
Put from a sideways stance with bent legs, and each team gets one glide put per round.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student puts seated from the edge of the circle with the same scoring.
- Visual impairment: a partner claps from the hoop and calls out how close each ball is.
- Lower strength: use a 2 lb ball and allow putting from 3 ft closer.
Learning goals
- Control the force of the push based on the target distance.
- Keep shot put technique on submaximal throws.
- Make tactical team decisions about where to leave the ball.
Equipment for a class of 25
- medicine balls: 13
- hoops: 5
- cones: 10
Teacher tip
This works well on hot days or after an intense activity because it is low effort. Mark each team's balls with colored tape so measuring is never in doubt.
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