Schoolyard Radio: Call the Class Tournament Live

During a class tournament, teams alternate between playing and serving as the media crew that calls, scores, and reports on the game live. It covers the communications role at an event and a positive focus on fair play.

How to play

1. Six teams of 5; when a team isn't playing, it's the media crew with four jobs: play-by-play announcer, fair play commentator, scorekeeper on the whiteboard, and reporter (3 min).
2. Rounds 1 and 2: two courts at once playing “Ball Over the Line” with three required passes; the two free teams each cover one court (12 min).
3. Rounds 3 and 4 with teams rotated and media jobs switched (12 min).
4. Final news report: each crew gives a one-minute report with one score, one highlight play, and one fair play moment (8 min).

Rules

• No nicknames, no mocking, and no comments on anyone's body.
• Name everyone who plays, not just the scorers.
• The reporter asks one question, and only if the player wants to answer.
• The media crew stays off the court, to one side of the sideline.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: serves as a fixed announcer or scorekeeper and plays during small-court minutes.
• Hard of hearing: keeps score, and the report is written on the whiteboard.
• Shy students: start as scorekeeper or written commentator and speak publicly only if they want to.

Learning goals

• Understand the communications role at a sports event.
• Describe the game in respectful, inclusive language.
• Highlight fair play as much as the score.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam balls: 2
• pinnies: 20
• cones: 16
• whiteboards: 2
• markers: 4
• score sheets: 4

Teacher tip

A portable speaker with a mic is great; if not, an announcer's voice from the sideline is enough. Common mistake: calling only the standout players; ask the announcer to say every player's name at least once.

More main activities for High School