High School PE Lesson Ideas

Share | | Submit Video of this Lesson

Name of Activity: Castle Ball

Purpose of Activity: To practice working together as a team while playing both offense and defense. Works nicely with a Handball unit because it allows students to focus on passing, blocking, and strategies.

Suggested Grade Level: 9-12

Materials Needed: Hula hoops, 1 or 2 volleyball-sized soft foam balls. Regulation volleyballs are not appropriate for this activity.

Notes: This activity works really well in small gymnasiums. If you have a lot of space available you can have many games going on at the same time, as long as you have enough hoops.

Description of Idea

The game area is separated by a center line, which players cannot cross to retreive a ball (this center line is optional--you decide). It is also best to have a throwing line inside each teams area to make sure all balls are thrown from the same distance. Teams are not to throw at castles inside of that line. Players should be encouraged to try different throwing strategies, i.e; different angles, speeds, trajectories, bounced off the wall or the ceiling etc. They should also be encouraged (and even recognized with scoring rewards) to pass the ball to teammates to su prise the defenders or to make sure everyone gets to throw the ball. In defending the castle, players should be alert, on the balls of their feet, and cooperate wittheir teammates to form strategies that will best defend their "castles".

Variations:

After students have mastered the activity using just one ball, add another one to increase the difficulty level.

If you, the teacher, see excellent passing add a point or two to the overall score.

Teaching Suggestions:

Use a soft foam ball for this activity.

Make sure the throwing line is at a safe distance from the defenders of the castle.