Two-Ball Chase Circle

In two circles of 12, students pass two balls in the same direction; the chasing ball tries to catch up to the other one while everyone moves with side steps. It's a gentle warm-up for focus, quick passing, and reacting to direction changes.

How to play

1. Form two circles of about 12 students, alternating pinnie colors. Stand about 6 feet apart. Place two different-colored balls on opposite sides of each circle.
2. Minutes 0-1: passing in place with one ball, first chest passes and then bounce passes, calling the receiver's name.
3. Minutes 1-4: play with both balls going the same direction: the red ball chases the blue ball. If it catches up, stop, celebrate, and restart from opposite sides.
4. On "switch!", both balls reverse direction and the chased ball becomes the chaser.
5. Minutes 4-6: the circle rotates with side shuffles while passing; players may only pass to the other pinnie color, skipping one classmate.
6. Minutes 6-7: time how long the chaser takes to catch the other ball and try to beat it.

Rules

• Each ball goes to the next person without skipping anyone, except in the pinnie variation.
• Pass at chest height, with no hard throws at short range.
• If a ball drops, the student who dropped it picks it up and continues from their spot.
• No one holds the ball longer than one second.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the circle stays still while a wheelchair user takes part, and passes come at their height.
• Visual impairment: make one of the balls a ball with bells and have the passer call the receiver's name.
• Shyness: there's no elimination and nobody stands out for a mistake; the challenge belongs to the whole group.

Learning goals

• Warm up with passes and easy side steps.
• Stay focused on several things happening at once.
• Cooperate to keep a shared passing rhythm.

Equipment for a class of 25

• balls: 4
• pinnies: 12

Teacher tip

This works well as a calm start before raising intensity or on hot days. Use balls in very different colors so everyone can tell which ball is chasing which.

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