Rolling Ball Chase Starts

A partner rolls a ball from behind the runner, who takes off the moment they see it go by, aiming to catch up and stop it by hand before a line. Students practice reacting to a visual cue, starting from different positions and accelerating.

How to play

1. In pairs with one ball, use lanes 15 yards long and 3 yards apart. Mark a start line and a finish line 12 yards away with cones (2 min).
2. The runner stands at the start facing forward; the partner, 2 yards behind, rolls the ball at medium speed so it passes right next to them.
3. The runner goes when they see the ball and must stop it by hand before the finish: success scores 1 point. Take 5 tries, then switch roles (4 min).
4. Round two: start from a different position each time: seated, kneeling, lying face down and squatting (4 min).
5. Round three: the roller adjusts the challenge based on results; if the partner wins twice in a row, roll faster or from closer (3 min).
6. To wrap up, each pair shares which start position was hardest and why (2 min).

Rules

• Roll the ball along the ground; never throw it at anyone.
• Stop the ball only with your hand, not your foot.
• Safety: stay in your lane and fetch stray balls without crossing other lanes.
• The runner doesn't look back before the ball passes.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: roll the ball slower and let the student intercept it with the wheelchair or a pool noodle.
• Visual impairment: use a ball with bells and start when you hear it pass.
• Lower fitness: move the finish farther and walk back to recover.

Learning goals

• React quickly to an unexpected visual cue.
• Get up and accelerate from a variety of start positions.
• Adjust a partner's challenge fairly.

Equipment for a class of 25

• balls: 13
• cones: 26

Teacher tip

From the face-down start, students tend to drop to their knees first; teach them to push with both hands and one foot at once. Use well-inflated balls, because soft ones bounce and drift.

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