Ringo Gain-Ground Team Throw

Teams of four travel a 130 ft course throwing a ringo ring: each throw is made from where a teammate catches it or where it lands. It builds long, accurate throwing and team planning to reach the finish in the fewest throws.

How to play

1. Use cones to mark a start line and a finish line 130 ft away; each team of four has a lane about 20 ft wide. Place flat disc cones every 30 ft to show progress.
2. Explain the challenge: the first thrower sends the ring forward from the start; a teammate positioned ahead tries to catch it. If they catch it, the next throw starts there; if it drops, the next throw starts where it landed.
3. Students rotate in order: the thrower becomes the forward receiver and the receiver becomes the next thrower. Nobody throws twice in a row.
4. First trip (5 min): each team counts how many throws it needs until the ring crosses the finish line. Teams jog back to the start.
5. Strategy huddle (1 min): each team decides whether to throw longer and risk a drop or shorter and safer.
6. Second and third trips (8 min): teams try to beat their throw count. The team with the best score wins, and the team that improves most is also recognized.

Rules

• The forward receiver stands at least 15 ft from the thrower and always faces them.
• Never cross into another lane to get a ring; call out and roll it back.
• Throw only when the receiver raises a hand and says "Ready."
• If the ring leaves the lane, throw again from the last valid spot.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair always throws from the start of each leg while teammates act as receivers.
• Visual impairment: the receiver claps to guide the throw, and brightly colored rings are used.
• Lower fitness: receivers may walk to their spot, and rest time between trips is longer.

Learning goals

• Throw a ringo ring a long distance while keeping it on line.
• Plan a team strategy to advance in the fewest throws.
• Set improvement goals and check whether they were met.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Ringo rings: 6
• cones: 14
• flat disc cones: 24

Teacher tip

Space the teams well apart and have everyone throw in the same direction so nobody gets hit from behind. Posting scores on a whiteboard is very motivating.

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