Silent Ball

Students sit on the floor and pass a foam ball in total silence; anyone who talks, laughs or makes a bad pass stands up briefly and then rejoins. It builds self-control, accuracy and attention in a calm setting.

How to play

1. Have students sit spread out around the space, about 6 feet from each other (1 min).
2. Explain that the ball is passed with a soft underhand toss, without saying anything, and you must make eye contact with the receiver before tossing.
3. Anyone who talks, makes an impossible pass or drops an easy catch stands up and silently takes five slow breaths (0.5 min).
4. After their five breaths, they sit back down and keep playing, so nobody sits out for long.
5. Play for about 4 minutes; halfway through, add a second ball to raise the focus level (4 min).
6. Finish: the last pass goes to the teacher, and the class quietly discusses what was hardest (1.5 min).

Rules

• Total silence while the ball is in play.
• Passes are always underhand and at chest height, never at the face.
• You can't pass the ball back to the person who just passed it to you.
• Stay seated; anyone who stands up to catch takes their five breaths.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays from a wheelchair and receives passes at hand height.
• Students with visual impairments: use a ball with a bell, and the passer claps softly twice before tossing.
• Students with weaker catching skills: they may catch with two hands from a shorter distance.

Learning goals

• Maintain self-control and silence during a game.
• Adjust the force and direction of a short pass.
• Respect rules the group has agreed to.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam ball: 2

Teacher tip

Many students played this in elementary school; pitch it as a focus challenge so it doesn't feel babyish. Watch that passes don't always go to the same few students.

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