One-on-One Paddle Wall Ball
Wall ball games on a schoolyard wall using paddles and a soft ball, with two players taking turns hitting. Students practice forehand and backhand strokes, reading the rebound and repositioning after each shot to give the opponent room.
How to play
- With chalk, mark 6 courts on a smooth wall, each 10 ft wide with a line about 20 in up, plus a 10 x 20 ft play area in front. Groups of 4 per court (3 min).
- Cooperative partner rally for 3 minutes, taking turns hitting the wall with one bounce on the ground.
- 1v1 game: serve off a bounce so the ball hits above the line and comes back into the area.
- Alternate hits with one bounce allowed. You lose the point if you can't reach it or hit it below the line or out. Games to 5; the other pair referees, then plays (12 min).
- Finish with 2 minutes of easy cooperative rallying and put equipment away.
Rules
- Nobody hits twice in a row, and the hitter steps aside to make room.
- If a player accidentally blocks the other's shot, replay the point.
- Safety: don't swing when your opponent is within a paddle's length, and always use a soft ball.
Variations
Easier
Allow two bounces and remove the wall line.
Standard
Alternate hits with one bounce and a line at about 20 in.
Harder
Serves are volleyed with no bounce, or backhands must hit a marked band on the wall.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a narrower area and two bounces allowed.
- Hearing impairment: the referee raises a hand to signal a point or a replay.
- Skill level: a bigger, slower foam ball or a paddle with a larger face.
Learning goals
- Hit forehand and backhand paddle strokes off the bounce.
- Judge the rebound off the wall to get into position on time.
- Respect the opponent's space and the referee's calls.
Equipment for a class of 25
- paddles: 25
- soft ball: 12
- chalk: 6
Teacher tip
Check beforehand that there are no windows or ledges nearby. The typical mistake is crowding the wall; cue students to get back to the middle of the area after every shot.
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