Sock Ball Toss: Throw, Spin and Catch

Each student warms up by tossing their own sock ball and doing a task before catching it. It builds coordination and raises the heart rate gradually with no fear of getting hit.

How to play

1. Walk freely around the space, tossing and catching the sock ball with one hand, then the other (2 min).
2. Light jog: toss high, clap once and catch; then two and three claps (2 min).
3. Toss, touch the floor with one hand and catch before it lands (2 min).
4. Toss, spin all the way around and catch; try spinning both ways (2 min).
5. When you pass someone, swap balls with a low pass and keep jogging (2 min).

Rules

• Toss to head height or a little higher, never toward others.
• Keep your eyes up when moving so you don't bump into anyone.
• If the ball drops, pick it up and keep going.
• Swap passes are low and soft.

Variations

Adaptations

• Low vision: brightly colored sock ball and a reserved area with no crossing traffic.
• Limited mobility: same tasks from a wheelchair, with lower tosses.
• Hesitant students: start standing still and move once they make five catches in a row.

Learning goals

• Coordinate throwing and catching while moving.
• Raise the heart rate gradually.
• Warm up shoulders, wrists and ankles.

Equipment for a class of 25

• sock balls: 30

Teacher tip

A sock ball takes one minute: an old sock stuffed with two others and knotted. Ask everyone to bring one and keep a spare box in the PE office.

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