Ball Gauntlet

Age group : Best played students aged between 5 and 9

Materials :

  • A soft ball for each player of the throwing team


  • 2 5-10 metre long pieces of string or other method of marking two long parallel lines to indicate the edges of the game

Preparation time : 5 to 10 minutes to prepare the materials

Objective : To be the team to score the most points at the end of the game.

Instructions :


Divide the class into teams. Set the string down in parallel lines 2 or 3 metres apart. Explain to students that the start of the string shall be where the race begins, and where the string ends is the goal line. Assign one team to be "the throwers", and the other team, "the racers". Give one ball to each of the throwing team. Choose 2 or three of "the racers" to attempt the round. On the count of three, "The racers" try to the reach the goal line, while "the throwers" try to hit them with the ball below their waist (Hitting someone above their waist doesn't count). If they are hit, they score no points, but if they can cross the goal line without being hit they score a point for their team. After each student of "the racers" has attempted the gauntlet teams switch roles. After all students have taken a turn, or if the teacher decides to end the game, count the points for each team. The team to score the most points is the winner.