School Cestoball: Argentina's Passing Basket Game
A school version of cestoball, an invasion game from Argentina played with passes and shots at a basket with no backboard. Students practice passing without dribbling, accurate shooting, and off-ball movement to get close to the target.
How to play
- Explain in 1 minute that cestoball grew out of basketball in Argentina and is played without a backboard. Make 4 teams of 6 (one of 7) and set up 2 fields of 25 x 15 m.
- At each end place a raised hoop as the basket and mark a circle with a 2 m radius around it with cones that nobody may step into.
- Five players per team are on the court and the sixth waits on the sideline; sub one player every 2 minutes. No dribbling: the ball only moves by passing.
- The player with the ball may pivot and must pass or shoot within 3 seconds. Defenders stay one arm's length away.
- A basket from outside the circle is worth 2 points. After a basket, the other team inbounds from its end line.
- Play 2 halves of 8 minutes with a 2-minute break to practice free throws from 3 m without defenders.
Rules
- No dribbling or running with the ball.
- Nobody steps inside the basket circle, on offense or defense.
- No contact: any bump or slap gives a free throw from 3 m.
- Pass at mid-height and never hard from closer than 3 m.
Variations
Easier
Shrink the circle to a 1.5 m radius and allow one dribble before passing.
Standard
Play with no dribbling, 3 seconds, and a 2 m circle around the basket.
Harder
Before any shot, the ball must have touched at least 3 different teammates.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: set a lower hoop on one side where only that student shoots, for the same points.
- Visual impairment: a teammate claps under the basket to guide the shot.
- Fitness level: skilled players shoot from farther away; students who struggle get a 5-second rule.
Learning goals
- Learn about an invasion game from another culture and its origins.
- Move toward the basket using only passes and off-ball movement.
- Shoot accurately at a raised target with no backboard.
Equipment for a class of 25
- raised hoops: 4
- soft balls: 2
- pinnies: 13
- cones: 24
Teacher tip
Without dribbling, play stalls if no one moves; ask players to look for open space right after passing. Secure the raised hoops well so they do not tip over if someone bumps them.
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