Pass Tag: Safe When You Catch

A tag game where you are only safe while holding the ball. It warms up the body and forces quick passing and getting open to receive.

How to play

1. Mark a 20 x 20 m square with cones and name 4 taggers wearing pinnies (1 min).
2. Round 1: 3 balls are in play; whoever holds a ball cannot be tagged, but may only hold it for 3 seconds (3 min).
3. A tagged player swaps pinnies with the tagger and play continues without stopping (2 min).
4. Round 2: only bounce passes or non-dominant-hand passes count (3 min).
5. Quick huddle: who got open to help a teammate in trouble? (1 min).

Rules

• The ball is passed, never thrown at anyone.
• Hold the ball for 3 seconds max.
• Tag on the back or shoulder, no pushing.
• If the ball hits the ground, nobody is safe until it is picked up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: act as a fixed base in the center; anyone who passes to them is safe.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: round changes are signaled by raising a colored cone.
• Students who are nervous with the ball: use a foam ball in their group.

Learning goals

• Raise heart rate with changes of pace and direction.
• Pass quickly to the teammate in danger.
• Get open to receive in free space.

Equipment for a class of 25

• handballs: 4
• pinnies: 4
• cones: 4

Teacher tip

Count the 3 seconds out loud at first so nobody hogs the ball. The common mistake is always passing to the same friend, so give a shout-out for the pass to whoever needed it most.

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