School Fistball: Fist, One Bounce, Three Touches

An introduction to fistball (faustball), a net sport with roots in Central Europe where you hit with a fist or forearm and the ball may bounce once before each touch. Students practice one-arm striking and building a play in three touches.

How to play

1. Introduce fistball and teach the hit: closed fist with the thumb outside, or the forearm, always with one arm. Set up four courts with a high rope (3 min).
2. Partners on either side of the rope: hit, bounce on the floor, and hit it back over the rope (6 min).
3. Trios on the same side: three touches with one bounce allowed between each, the last one over the rope; then send it to another trio (6 min).
4. 4-on-4 games to 11 points; rotate positions on every change of serve (12 min).
5. Group comparison: how is it like volleyball, and how is it different? (3 min).

Rules

• Hit with a fist or forearm of one arm; never with an open hand.
• The ball may bounce once before each touch, and each team gets three touches at most.
• The same player can't touch it twice in a row.
• No diving; if two players go for the same ball, whoever called it first takes it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: play with a ball with a bell, always with a bounce, on a shorter court.
• Students who use wheelchairs: play up front by the rope and are allowed two bounces.
• Students with wrist discomfort: hit only with the forearm and use a softer ball.

Learning goals

• Strike with a fist and forearm while controlling direction.
• Build a play in three touches with bounces.
• Learn a net sport from another cultural tradition.

Equipment for a class of 25

• volleyballs: 4
• long ropes: 4
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

In competition fistball is played five-on-five on a big field; in class, 4-on-4 is plenty. If volleyballs hurt the fist, use soft beginner volleyballs.

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