The Unfair Game: Is It Really a Win?
Students play Ten Passes with secret advantages for one team and then the roles are reversed, so everyone experiences what it feels like to win or lose unfairly. Students work on passing and getting open while building empathy and an appreciation for equal opportunity.
How to play
- Set up two fields about 22 × 16 yards with two teams of 6 in pinnies on each. Base game: Ten Passes; a team that completes 10 passes in a row without the other team touching the ball scores a point.
- Before round 1, secretly give one team on each field advantages: their passes count double and the other team may only pass with their non-dominant hand. If anyone asks, just say those are the rules.
- Round 1 (5 min): play with the advantages. Watch the reactions without stepping in.
- Round 2 (5 min): flip the advantages so the other team has them.
- Discussion break (4 min): How did it feel to have the advantage? And without it? Was that point worth anything? Does this happen outside of games?
- Round 3 (5 min): play with the same rules for everyone and rebalance teams if needed. Wrap-up (1 min): Which round was the most fun?
Rules
- No contact: intercept the ball in the air and never take it from someone's hands.
- No passing back to the person who just passed to you.
- No teasing the losing team, advantage or not.
Variations
Easier
Play Five Passes, with the only secret advantage being that passes count double.
Standard
Ten Passes with two secret advantages that are flipped in round 2.
Harder
In the final round, each team proposes a balancing handicap so the game is even.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility can be a permanent neutral passer for both teams or the one who counts passes out loud.
- For students with autism, explain privately beforehand that it is an experiment and a fair round is coming.
- For more skilled students, require bounce passes or overhead passes.
Learning goals
- Pass and get open to keep possession.
- Identify the feelings an unfair situation causes.
- Value the importance of everyone playing with equal opportunities.
Equipment for a class of 25
- foam balls: 2
- pinnies: 12
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Expect complaints in round 1; that is the point, but do not let it last more than 5 minutes. Finish by pointing out that the fun of winning depends on the game being fair.
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