Step-Back Hoop Toss Challenge

A partner challenge: every hit in the hoop lets the thrower step back one cone, and two misses in a row move them forward one, chasing their farthest mark. It builds underhand tossing accuracy and personal goal setting.

How to play

1. Make 12-13 pairs. Each pair sets a hoop on the floor and a line of 6 cones every 18 inches, from 5 to 13 feet (2 min).
2. The thrower starts at the first cone with 3 beanbags and tosses underhand at the hoop. A hit means one cone back; two misses in a row mean one cone forward.
3. The partner retrieves, returns the beanbags, and notes the farthest cone reached. After 2 min, partners switch roles.
4. Before the second turn, each student predicts the cone they will finish on, then checks whether they met that goal (4 min).
5. Third turn with a different toss: overhand or non-dominant hand, student's choice (5 min).

Rules

• The beanbag must land inside the hoop or touching its edge.
• Retrieve only after the thrower has tossed all 3 beanbags.
• Each pair stays in its own lane, all tossing in the same direction.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student tosses seated and the partner moves the hoop back instead.
• Students with autism: number the cones in large print so progress and goals are easy to see.
• Skill level: students who reach the last cone switch to a smaller hoop.

Learning goals

• Toss underhand accurately at increasing distances.
• Set a realistic goal and judge whether it was reached.
• Stay motivated through misses and setbacks.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 39
• hoops: 13
• cones: 78

Teacher tip

Praise improvement from the first turn more than final distance. If a student stalls, check for a straight arm swing toward the hoop and a release at waist height.

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