Name-Call Paddle Circle

In circles of five or six, students keep a soft ball in play with paddles, calling out the name of the teammate each hit is meant for. They work on aimed strokes, focus, and communication, and it makes sure everyone gets the ball.

How to play

1. Form circles of 5 or 6, each student in a hoop about 6 ft from the next; everyone has a paddle and the group shares one soft ball (2 min).
2. Round 1: hit the ball with one bounce in the middle of the circle, calling the receiver's name first (3 min).
3. Round 2: no bounce; one control tap up, then a second tap to pass to the named player (3 min).
4. Round 3, 'everyone touches': the group must send the ball to every member without repeats; each full lap scores 1 point (3 min).
5. Round 4, 'who hasn't had it': when calling a name, choose someone who hasn't received in a while; the teacher gives bonus points to the circle that shares best (3 min).

Rules

• Say the name before hitting, not after.
• You cannot send the ball to the same person twice in a row.
• Safety: each player stays in their hoop and leaves only if the ball rolls far away.
• If the ball drops, the player who sent it picks it up and restarts play.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays from a chair in the hoop and teammates send the ball with a bounce to that zone.
• Hearing impairment: instead of calling names, point the paddle at the receiver and make eye contact.
• Lower skill level: use a balloon or a large, slower foam ball.

Learning goals

• Aim a stroke at a specific teammate.
• Stay focused to react when hearing one's own name.
• Include every group member in the game.

Equipment for a class of 25

• paddles: 25
• soft balls: 5
• hoops: 25

Teacher tip

In the first days or with new groups, this is a great name game. Watch that no one gets left out: the 'who hasn't had it' round fixes that habit.

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