Roller Ball

This is a great new invasion game. You can find more complete lesson plans for invasion type games in my book: Fun, Fitness, and Skills - The Powerful Original Games Approach. Powerful Original Games

Equipment: One ball for each game - use a gator skin type of ball, pinnies for half the players, four traffic cones or two hockey type goals for each game.

The Game - Grades 3 and up, but best for grades 5 and up - The object of the game is to score the most goals in a given amount of time. Goals are scored by rolling the ball into or through the goals bowling style. There are five basic rules to this game:

1. Once you have the ball in your hand(s), you may not move until you either roll it or throw it. You may not score by throwing the ball, but you can throw it to your teammates to acquire better position. You may roll the ball at opposing players if they get too close to you, in an attempt to take them temporarily out of the game, or to allow your player to get back into the game.
2. Whenever you are touched below the knees by a rolling ball, you must leave the game unless you scoop it up cleanly. This is not an elimination game! You re-enter the game as soon as someone else is touched by a rolling ball. You are never out if someone throws the ball at you because throwing the ball at someone is not allowed.
3. At the start of the game, or after a goal is scored, the ball is put into play by one of the goalies. The goalie may roll or throw the ball. At the beginning of the game, choose or flip a coin for possession of the ball. After a goal is scored, the losing team takes the ball out.
4. Balls may not be kicked. A kicked ball results in a touch and that player must leave the game.
5. You are not out if you drop a thrown ball, but you cannot touch that ball until someone else does. This rule places a premium on catching the ball without first dropping it.

Begin by dividing the class into teams of 5, 6 or 7 players. Fewer players, where possible, is better. Divide the playing field in half or thirds depending on the size of the class. Use traffic cones, poly spots or lines to separate the fields. Use the width of the play area. Place the goals opposite each other in each of the two or three fields. For example, if your gym has a basketball court and you divided the field in thirds, place two goals on the long lines of the court half way between one basket and the mid court line, two goals on the long lines near the mid-court line, and two goals toward the other basket.

In each game, give out one gator skin type ball and pinnies for one of the teams. Each team should then meet to discuss who will be the goalie and what strategy they will use to score goals. Point out that this is an invasion game like soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, football, basketball, etc. Some of the same strategies will be employed. Once the game begins move around the gym to offer advice and make sure the games are being properly played. It is also a good time for you to note any students who are having problems throwing and/or catching. These students will need extra practice at a later date. Play for about ten minutes. The teams with the most goals are the winners. Then either play again, or switch the teams around so that they play other teams.

Points to remember: No one may move while in possession of the ball. Balls may be rolled or thrown. To score a goal, the ball must be rolled into or through the goal. A rolled or thrown ball may be intercepted or picked up by either team. If touched by a ball rolled by anyone, but not picked up cleanly, that person, including the goalie must leave the game until someone else, on either team, is touched by a rolling ball. Therefore, only one person at a time is out of the game. If the goalie is forced out of the game, someone on the field may replace him or her. When that goalie re-enters the game, she or he may go back to goal or just become part of the team. This would be a team decision and should be discussed before the game actually begins.

Variations:

1. Play one large game. Use the length of the field. Divide the class into two teams and give pinnies to half the class. Use more than one ball. Use approximately one ball for every 7 to 8 players. You can also use more than one goal for each team. Even though this variation is an option, I much prefer small sided games for reasons previously discussed on my web site (Game Theory) and in my book. Powerful Original Games
2. Experiment with different kinds of equipment. For example use bean bags instead of balls.