Ulu Maika: Hawaiian Rolling Game

A traditional Hawaiian game in which players rolled a disc-shaped stone between two stakes set close together. In class, students roll a soft ball through cone gates that get farther away and narrower. Students work on accuracy and controlling force.

How to play

1. Set up 5 stations. At each, mark a rolling line and three gates made of two cones 20 inches apart, at 4, 6, and 8 yards. Make groups of 5 (2 min).
2. Teach the motion: one knee bent, arm swinging close to the body, and the ball leaving the hand rolling without a bounce.
3. Taking turns, each player rolls two balls at the 4-yard gate. A clean roll between the cones is 2 points; one that touches a cone is 1 point.
4. After rolling, the player collects the balls, hands them to the next player, and goes to the back of the line. When the group reaches 20 points, it moves to the 6-yard gate, then the 8-yard gate (8 min).
5. Every 4 minutes groups rotate stations; at each one the teacher narrows or widens the gates to change the challenge.
6. Final: a distance contest down a cone lane 1.5 yards wide; the ball that rolls farthest without leaving the lane wins (3 min).

Rules

• No one goes to collect balls until their group has rolled all of them.
• The ball must leave the hand rolling: if it bounces before the line, it does not score.
• All stations roll in the same direction.
• Each group counts its points out loud and honestly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student rolls from a wheelchair using a cardboard tube or ramp.
• Visual impairment: a partner claps behind the gate to signal the direction.
• Skill level: each player can choose which gate to score from; far gates count the same for the group.

Learning goals

• Control force and direction when rolling a ball.
• Improve accuracy at increasing distances.
• Learn about a traditional game from Hawaii and Polynesian culture.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft balls: 10
• cones: 40

Teacher tip

The original stones, called 'ulu', were carefully kept, and some are preserved in museums today. Correct students who drop the ball from high up: it should leave the hand almost at floor level.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary