Paddleball Distance Ladder Rally
A cooperative partner rally with paddleball paddles where each time the pair reaches ten hits in a row, both partners step back one cone. Students learn to adjust the force of each hit, build basic paddle technique, and cooperate toward a shared goal.
How to play
- Set out lines of cones 3 feet apart in a straight row, from 10 feet to 33 feet; each pair gets its own row, with 10 feet between pairs.
- Partners start facing each other at the 10-foot cones and rally without a bounce, counting hits out loud; allow 2 minutes for practice.
- Once the pair reaches 10 hits in a row, each player steps back one cone and the count goes back to zero.
- If the ball hits the ground, the pair restarts at the same distance; after three misses in a row, they may move up one cone.
- Play two 6-minute rounds, with 2 minutes between rounds for each pair to discuss how the hit changes as they move apart.
- In the second round, every odd-numbered hit must be a forehand and every even-numbered hit a backhand.
Rules
- Hit with the paddle out in front of your body and keep your eyes on the ball.
- Don't backpedal to chase the ball; if it gets away, let it go and start over.
- Toss balls that roll into another row back by hand; never hit them.
Variations
Easier
Allow one bounce between hits and only 6 hits to move back.
Standard
Rally with no bounce, 10 hits to move back a cone, and distances from 10 to 33 feet.
Harder
Each player must tap the ball twice in a row before sending it to the partner.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student stays in place while only the partner moves back the cones.
- Visual impairment: use a brightly colored ball and start at 6 feet with higher, slower hits.
- Fitness or skill level: stronger pairs need 15 hits to move back each cone.
Learning goals
- Adjust the force of each hit to the distance from a partner.
- Maintain paddle control out in front of the body.
- Cooperate with a partner to reach a shared goal.
Equipment for a class of 25
- paddleball paddles: 26
- soft balls: 13
- cones: 100
Teacher tip
As they move apart, students tend to swing with a stiff arm; remind them that power comes from the legs and trunk rotation. Leave an open lane behind the rows for retrieving balls.
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