Stoopball: Bounce It off the Step
A street game from American cities in which you throw a ball against the edge of a step so it pops out and the fielders try to catch it. It builds purposeful throwing, catching and field positioning.
How to play
- Share the origin: in New York City, kids threw rubber balls against the front steps of their buildings (stoops). Turn a gym bench upside down against the wall to make a step; set up 4 fields.
- Mark three zones with cones in front of each bench: 0 to 13 feet is 1 point, 13 to 26 feet is 2 points, and beyond 26 feet is 3 points. Make groups of 6: one thrower and five fielders.
- The thrower stands 6 feet from the bench and throws the tennis ball against the edge of the step so it bounces out into the field.
- If a fielder catches the ball before it bounces, it's an out. If it bounces first, the thrower scores the points of the zone where it landed.
- Each thrower gets 3 outs, then rotates to the field and the next player comes up in an agreed order. Each turn lasts about 2 minutes.
- Play for about 16 minutes and keep track of each person's points. Finish with a partner round: one throws, the other covers a gap.
Rules
- The ball must hit the bench first; if it hits the floor first, it's a dead ball.
- Safety: no one stands within 13 feet of the bench during a throw.
- In the field, call 'Mine!' before catching to avoid collisions.
Variations
Easier
A bigger foam ball, shorter zones and 4 outs per turn.
Standard
A tennis ball, three zones and 3 outs per turn.
Harder
A point only counts if nobody touches the ball; a dropped catch is half an out.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility: throw from a chair and field zone 1 using a hoop as their area.
- Visual impairment: use a larger sound ball, the thrower calls 'Coming!', and scoring is for making it rebound off the bench.
- Skill level: students who need it may catch after one bounce and still record an out.
Learning goals
- Throw with purpose to send the ball into open zones.
- Position yourself in the field and catch fly balls.
- Learn a traditional American street game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tennis balls: 8
- gym benches: 4
- cones: 24
Teacher tip
Leave plenty of space between fields and have them all face the same way.
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