The Back-to-Back Ball Sandwich

Partners stand back to back, hold a large soft ball between their backs, and sidestep to a hoop without dropping it. It builds coordination with a partner, communication, and matching steps.

How to play

1. The teacher demonstrates with a child: back to back, the ball in the middle, “crab steps” to one side without using hands (2 min).
2. Pairs practice standing in place: they bend down a little and rise together without dropping the ball (2 min).
3. First short trips to a hoop a few steps away; if the ball drops, they pick it up and keep going from there (2 min).
4. Switch partners and hold the ball with other body parts: shoulder to shoulder, then tummy to tummy, walking very slowly (3 min).
5. Long trip: each pair carries the ball between their backs along a hoop path and drops it in the last hoop (2 min).
6. Pairs sit back to back, without the ball, and breathe together (1 min).

Rules

• No hands on the ball during the trip.
• We say “Step!” together to move as one.
• If it drops, no problem: we pick it up and keep going.
• I switch partners when the teacher says so.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the ball is held between the child's arm and the partner's arm while they move together with the wheelchair or walker.
• Visual impairment: back contact guides the child; the partner counts steps out loud.
• Autism: start with the ball between hands, face to face, to avoid back contact.

Learning goals

• Coordinate movement with a partner.
• Communicate to move together.
• Control body pressure on an object.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Large foam balls: 13
• Hoops: 8

Teacher tip

Use foam balls about 8 inches across: small ones drop right away and frustrate kids. One child often walks faster; have them say “Step, step” together out loud.

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