Sock Balls: Workshop and Soft-Tag Game

Each student makes a sock ball and uses it in a tag game where you tag by hitting someone below the waist with a throw. It works on dodging, accurate throwing and role-switching with no elimination.

How to play

1. Workshop: roll two socks inside a third, turn it out and knot it; check that it barely bounces and doesn't hurt (6 min).
2. Target practice at the base of a cone, close and far (4 min).
3. Tag: three taggers with pinnies and balls; if you're hit below the waist, take the pinnie and ball and become a tagger (8 min).
4. Lifeguard version: someone about to be tagged can high-five a teammate and is safe for three seconds (8 min).
5. Quick talk: which throws were fair and which weren't, and how the waist rule went (4 min).

Rules

• Only hits below the waist count; a high throw doesn't count and the tagger tries again.
• Taggers throw from at least 2 m.
• When hit, you switch roles; nobody is out.
• Socks come clean from home.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: plays in a reserved zone where tags are made only by rolling the ball.
• Hesitant students: start as a tagger to have the ball and the control.
• Upper-body injury: tags by touching with the ball in hand instead of throwing.

Learning goals

• Make a soft, safe ball.
• Dodge with changes of direction and pace.
• Follow a safety rule without a referee.

Equipment for a class of 25

• old socks: 90
• pinnies: 6

Teacher tip

Give a few days' notice so students bring three odd socks. If someone throws hard or high, they sit out one turn as a helper. The balls are useful in many later lessons.

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