Short Activation Passes in a Circle
A soft-ball warm-up in circles: short passes with different cues to activate arms, legs and attention. Every student is involved the whole time and learns to call a classmate's name before passing.
How to play
- Make groups of six to eight in circles about 4 m (13 ft) across, each with a soft ball and a cone in the middle (1 min).
- Pass by hand to any classmate, saying their name first (1 min).
- After passing, run to touch the center cone and return to your spot (1 min 30 sec).
- Change the cue: bounce pass and side shuffle to the cone (1 min).
- Once the group handles one ball, add a second ball (1 min 30 sec).
Rules
- Always say the name before passing.
- Passes go at chest height.
- Don't pass back to the person who just passed to you.
- Safety: when running to the center, watch for classmates also heading to the cone.
Variations
Easier
No run to the center, passes only.
Standard
One ball and a run to the cone after each pass.
Harder
Two or three balls at once and passes with the feet.
Adaptations
- Catching difficulties: bigger ball and bounce passes.
- Limited mobility: skip the run to the center and receive rolled passes.
- Blind or low-vision students: a ball with a bell and a name call before each pass.
Learning goals
- Improve hand-eye coordination.
- Practice divided attention.
- Keep the whole class active and involved.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Soft balls: 8
- Cones: 4
Teacher tip
If a group gets stuck, have them pass to whoever hasn't had the ball yet. Soft balls prevent fear and jammed fingers.
PatioLab has "Short Activation Passes in a Circle" and 599 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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