Partner Hoop Toss and Arm Catch
In pairs, students toss a hoop flat so their partner can catch it on an outstretched arm, and they also try the backspin hoop that rolls back. It works on throwing a ring-shaped object, catching, and wrist control.
How to play
- Partners stand 10 feet (3 m) apart with a small or medium hoop, all pairs facing the same way. First, they roll the hoop back and forth and stop it with a hand (2 minutes).
- Arm catch: the catcher holds one arm straight out with a closed fist, and the tosser throws the hoop flat and underhand so it lands around the arm.
- Each partner tosses 10 times, then switch. A hoop caught on the arm is 2 points; caught with the hand, 1 (4 minutes).
- Boomerang hoop: roll the hoop forward with a backward flick of the wrist so it spins back to the tosser; the partner counts how many come back (3 minutes).
- Partner challenge: the catcher steps back after each arm catch and steps forward after each miss; find your longest distance in 3 minutes.
- To finish, two pairs form a square and toss hoops onto the arm of the person on their right (3 minutes).
Rules
- All pairs toss in the same direction, 10 feet apart.
- Toss the hoop flat and underhand, never on edge toward the face.
- The catcher only offers an arm and keeps the head back.
- Walk to pick up loose hoops.
Variations
Easier
Stand 6 feet apart with a large hoop and catch it with both hands.
Standard
A flat toss from 10 feet onto the outstretched arm.
Harder
Ring a cone held up by the catcher, or toss with the non-dominant hand.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: students using a wheelchair toss and catch the same way; the partner chases hoops that land far away.
- Visual impairment: use brightly colored hoops, and the tosser calls "Here it comes!" before releasing.
- Skill level: each pair adjusts its distance with the step-back, step-forward system.
Learning goals
- Toss a hoop on a flat, accurate path.
- Catch a ring-shaped object on the arm or with the hand.
- Use a wrist flick to put spin on a hoop.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 13
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
Small, flexible plastic hoops work better than stiff, heavy ones. Teach the toss as "serving a pizza": hoop flat and a gentle push toward the partner's arm.
PatioLab has "Partner Hoop Toss and Arm Catch" and 3999 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for Elementary
1-on-1 Mini Volleyball Up and Down the River
One-on-one mini volleyball duels on 3 x 3 m courts under a rope 2 m high, using a receive, self-set and send rule.
1-on-1 Side-Step Square Duels
In pairs, inside 5 x 5 m squares, an attacker holding a football tries to get from the starting side to the far side without the defender pulling a flag.
1v1 Four-Gate Soccer Duels
In a square with a gate on each side, two players go head to head and score by dribbling through any of the four gates.
2-on-2 Mini Volleyball with a Neutral Setter
Two-on-two mini volleyball with a neutral setter under the rope who always plays for the team with the ball.
2v1 Attack Waves to Mini Goals
Two attackers take on one defender and try to score on a small goal in under 10 seconds.
2v2 Alley Mini-Volleyball
A 2v2 mini-volleyball game on a very long, narrow court, about 33×10 feet, where the only way to win a point is by playing for depth: short near the net or deep to the…