Tamaire: Japanese Field Day Basket Toss

A classic event from undokai, Japanese school field day, in which two teams throw lots of cloth balls at the same time into a basket mounted high on a pole. It builds overhand throwing, accuracy and teamwork.

How to play

1. Share the origin: every fall, Japanese schools hold undokai, and tamaire is a favorite event, with red and white teams. Set up two baskets on poles about 6.5 feet high, 33 feet apart.
2. Make two teams in two pinnie colors. Around each basket, mark a circle with a 6-foot radius that nobody may step into, and scatter 40 beanbags on the ground outside it.
3. On the signal, the whole team picks up beanbags and throws them into its basket for 60 seconds. Students may throw one or two at a time.
4. On the whistle, everyone sits down. Count the beanbags out loud, taking them from both baskets at once and tossing them up one by one, the way it's done in Japan.
5. The team with more beanbags in the basket wins the round. Play 5 rounds; between rounds, each team shares one idea to improve (throw higher, don't crowd).
6. In the last round, move the circle out to 10 feet.

Rules

• No one steps inside the circle, not even to pick up beanbags.
• Safety: throw facing the basket and never sideways toward others; the pole is held by an adult or a stable stand.
• Each student holds no more than two beanbags at a time.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: keep a box of beanbags at their side and throw from a closer mark inside the circle.
• Autism or sound sensitivity: replace the whistle with a visual signal and give a heads-up before the final count.
• Skill level: students who score easily throw from behind a second 10-foot circle.

Learning goals

• Throw overhand with a high, accurate arc.
• Work with the team to collect and throw quickly.
• Learn about Japanese school field day and its team spirit.

Equipment for a class of 25

• baskets on poles: 2
• beanbags: 80
• pinnies: 25

Teacher tip

If you don't have pole baskets, tie a light bucket to a long pole and secure it to a basketball hoop or fence.

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