Sock Bola Ladder Toss

A school version of ladder toss: students throw bolas made from a sock and two tennis balls so they wrap around the rungs of a pole ladder. It builds an unusual pendulum throw, accuracy, and score math.

How to play

1. Each bola is a long sock with a tennis ball in the toe and another at the open end, held by knots. Build 6 ladders from two cones with holes and three poles at 12, 24, and 36 inches (3 min).
2. Make 6 groups of 4: two teams of two playing against each other. Each team has 3 bolas in its color and throws from a line at 13 feet.
3. Throw underhand, holding the bola in the middle and swinging it like a pendulum so it spins in the air.
4. Points: top rung, 3; middle, 2; bottom, 1. Players from each team alternate throws, and points are totaled at the end of each round.
5. The first team to hit exactly 15 wins; going over cancels that round. After 5 min, winning teams rotate to another ladder (15 min).

Rules

• Never swing a bola over your head.
• Nobody approaches the ladder until all bolas in the round are thrown.
• A bola knocked off by another one counts where it ends up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: throw from the chair at 10 feet, with the ladder angled toward their dominant side.
• Students with autism: show a card with each rung's score beforehand and keep the same partner all class.
• Skill level: students who hit the top rung easily throw with the non-dominant hand.

Learning goals

• Master a pendulum throw with an irregular object.
• Calculate scores and decide which rung to aim for.
• Follow safety and fair play rules.

Equipment for a class of 25

• long socks: 36
• tennis balls: 72
• cones: 12
• poles: 18

Teacher tip

Make the bolas in class from old socks; two tight knots keep the balls from slipping out. Cue students to release when the arm points at the ladder.

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