Category Archives: Skill Lesson/Activity

Ball Skills Introduction

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Equipment and Setup:

  • For Grades K-2 Use playground balls
  • For Grades 3/4/5 Use basketballs
  • Students spread out in their personal space
  • Adjust this list to the level of your students
  • Teacher up front to lead activities

Teacher Leads –  Students Follow

  • Foot Dribble: Bounce ball up to self using foot
  • Hold ankle dribble: Dribble ball while holding one ankle and balancing on one foot.
  • Heel Slap Dribble: Dribble with one hand while slapping your heel with the other
  • Massage and Dribble: Can you rub the back of your neck and dribble a ball?
  • Bounce High: Bounce ball high while ball doesn’t go above hand
  • Bounce Low: Bounce as low as possible
  • Catch while you’re off the floor: Throw ball and catch while jumping
  • Catch as low as you can: Bounce ball and catch as close to the floor as possible
  • Butterfly Drill: Hold ball between legs – do scissors – ball stays between legs
  • Throw back to front: Hold ball in back with both hands and throw in front to catch
  • Throw front to back: Throw ball up and catch it behind your back
  • Throw, jump 360, catch: Throw ball up and make a complete turn and catch
  • Roller ball: Balance ball behind your neck, let the ball roll down your back, then catch ball at your lower back.
  • Floor slap: Throw ball on the floor – slap both hands on floor – then catch
  • Stand to Lying Down Dribble: High dribble, medium dribble, sit on the floor and keep dribbling, then lie down on your back and keep dribbling. Keep dribbling and slowly begin standing up.
  • Homer Simpson: Run in a circle while dribbling your ball in the same place.
  • Monkey Walk: Walk while moving the ball between your legs
  • Crossover Dribble: Dribble right -left- right -left.
  • Heads Up Dribble: Watch the teacher move a ball side-to-side and move accordinglyHold ball in back with both hands and throw in front to catch
  • Homer Simpson: Run in a circle while dribbling your ball on an exact spot on the floor. Then reverse directions. Can you do it while skipping? Skipping backwards?

Basketball/Playground Balls Game and Activity Links

Ball Skills Intro

Dribble Train

Rotating/Stationary Line Passing

Recycle the Basketballs

Polyspot Basketball

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Cooperative Blindfold Activities

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Blindfold Obstacle Course

Setup and Equipment:

  • Blindfolds for half of the class.
  • Soft throwing balls (yarn balls)
  • Form partners – one has a blindfold on.
  • Gym is set up with cones, hula hoops, dome cones, etc.
  • The other partner is the body guard.

Guidelines

  • The object of this activity is for the “body guard” to safely navigate their blindfolded partner through the obstacle course only using verbal commands.
  • After a short period of time, switch places so each partner has a turn being blindfolded.

Horsing Around

Setup and Equipment:

  • Blindfolds for half of the class.
  • Form partners: One is the horse, the other is the rider.

Activity

  • Teach your horse how to walk, slow trot, and gallop
  • The partner that wears the blindfold to start is the horse. They hold the middle of the rope in front of them.
  • The partner holds the reins (ends of jump rope) and uses verbal commands to move the horse around the gym
  • Teach the verbal and nonverbal commands:
    1. Use “Whoa” for Stop – Pull back on reins
    2. “Giddy Up” for Go – Loosen and shake reins.
    3. “Left”, “Right”  Tug on that side.
  • After a short time the partners should switch places.

Blindfold Tag

Setup and Equipment:

  • Blindfolds for half of the class.
  • Soft throwing balls (yarn balls).
  • Form partners – one has a blindfold on.
  • One soft throwing ball (yarn ball)for blindfolded partner.
  • The other partner is the body guard.
  • Start the game with balls spread around on the floor, so commands must be given to pick up a ball.

Guidelines

  • The object of the game is for the “body guard” to direct their partner to a ball, get them to pick it up and throw it at another blindfolded player. This can only be done with verbal directions.
  • The “bodyguard” is not able help their partner except with verbal directions. They may not block throws. (For safety reasons, body guards may intervene to prevent player from bumping into each other).
  • Partners switch roles when their player is tagged by a ball.
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Hoop Passing for Small Groups

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Equipment and Setup:

  • Student arranged in groups of five to eight.
  • Hula Hoops: Two per group
  • Group holds hands in a circle facing each other

Guidelines:

  • Each group hangs one of the hula hoops on a pair of linked hands in the group. The other hoop is set on the floor outside of the circle.
  • The object of this is activity is to see how quickly and gracefully the hoop can be moved around the circle back to the starting point without letting go of your hands. Bending, twisting and talking to each other will be a big help.
  •  The most popular way to pass the hoop is by stepping into and ducking through the hoop, while lifting the hoop up and down and using gravity to slide the hoop.
  • Once a group can pass one hoop around the circle add a second hoop and continue.
  • How many times can you get the two hoops passed around your circle in two minutes or the time of one song.

Other Ideas:

Reverse: Play music to start passing the hoop. When you hear the sound of a truck backing up change the direction that you are passing.

Magic Passing

  • Start two hoops facing each other on opposite sides of the circle. Use “magic” or change the shape of your hoop to get them to pass through each other until they reach the starting point.

Caterpillar Line Race

Equipment and Setup:

  • Six groups of students line up at one end of the gym
  • Hula Hoops: Two per group
  • Group holds hands in a line standing next to each other.
  • Two hoops are on the floor next to the end line of the last person in line.

Guidelines:

  • The object of this activity is to get your group to the opposite end of the gym.
  • The hoops are passed backwards towards the starting line. When the hoop gets over the last person in line, they run to the front of the line toward the end line at the destination.
  • Continue passing the hoops backward and moving the line forward until you reach the destination.

 

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Cup Stacking: Sport Stacking

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Cup Stacking

For a free set of  Speedstacks and a DVD: Go to their teacher web site and fill out their online information. Click the Cup stacking picture (above), or the following link:

Speed Stacks Teacher Central

Basic Stacking Information

  • Introduction: The first day of cup-stacking is a DVD or smart board video if your students have not been previously  introduced. The DVD, videos  and other Sport-stacking items are available at the Speedstacks website. There are also many videos on  You Tube.

Teach Stacking in order of difficulty:

  • 3-3 Stack
  • 3-3-3 Stack
  • 6 Stack
  • 1-10-1 Stack

Six Stack -up stack

  • Start with 6 cups in front of you
  • Take 3 cups with your right and 2 cups with your left
  • Leave one cup down
  • Spread the cups apart with your fingers
  • Release the bottom cup of your right hand to the right of the center cup so you now have 2 cups left in that hand
  • Release the bottom cup with your left hand to the left of the center cup
  • Release the next cup from your right hand on top of the center
  • Set the cup on in the left hand next to it
  • Put the final cup on on top with right hand

6 Stack -Down stack

  • Place right hand on top cup and your left hand on the second cup on the left
  • Slide to the right with your right hand, at the same time slide left with your left hand
  • Take the 3 cups in your left hand and the 2 cups in your right hand and put them in one stack of 6 cups

Partner Challenge:

  • Sets of cups are needed for each students.
  • Students sit in pairs across from each other.
  • Teacher designates a stacking formation:
  • 3-3-3-3
  • 3-6-3
  • 1-10-1
  • Start in down-stack position.
  • Stand up when up-stacking and down-stacking are complete.
  • Teacher gives the accumulated time count after the first person is standing.

Around the Table

  • (Set up tables so four people to six people are able to stack at the same time)
  • Students stand behind a table in front of down-stacked cups.
  • Teacher designates a stacking formation:
  • 3-3-3-3
  • 3-6-3
  • 1-10-1
  • After upstacking and downstacking –
  • Rotate to the right and begin the next stack.
  • Continue until everyone is back to their starting position.

Shuttle Relay

  • Students stand in shuttle relay style.
  • Cups are set up in the middle of the gym with one stack for each team. (in line with their team position)
  • Teacher designates a stacking formation:
  • 3-3-3-3
  • 3-6-3
  • 1-10-1
  • On the signal, the first stacker runs to the middle and stacks up.
  • Then they run to their teammates on the opposite end of the gym and give them a “five”.
  • This stacker goes to the middle and down-stacks.
  • Continue until everyone is back to the starting position, or…
  • Set a time, such as 2 minutes and see how many stacks can be made in that amount of time.

Scooter Relay

  • Students are lined up in teams in relay style with a partner.
  • Each team has two scooters linked together.
  • Each team has downstacked cups in the middle of the gym floor and at the opposite end.
  • Two students from each team will take turns as the pusher and the rider.
  • One partner from each team is sitting on the scooter, with feet extended forward
  • The other partner (next in line) will be pushing.
  • One set of 6 cups is on middle gym line.
  • Three sets of three cups are at the opposite end of the gym.
  • Students are pushed on the scooters to the center stack – up-stack the three sets of three.
  • Then, travel to the opposite end and up-stack the 6 cup stack
  • Now partners switch places and the new “rider” will down-stack the same set of cups.
  • Return to the beginning of the line and pass the scooters to the next partners in line.
  • Continue until everyone has had a turn up-stacking and down-stacking.
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Rotating/Stationary Line Pass

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Line Pass (Stationary Line/Rotating Line): Get a lot of practice passing balls/ etc. with a variety of partners

Setup/Equipment:

  • Line up the class so that there are two lines facing each other about ten feet apart.
  • Spread out, so everyone is directly across from a partner.
  • For K-2,  it helps if each participant has a polyspot to stand on. You may want to use playground balls rather than basketballs.

Guidelines:

  • One line is the Stationary line – each person in that line gets a ball. They are in charge of the ball and always hold it during transitions.
  • The other line is the rotating line – they will rotate down to the next person in line during the transition music.
  • MUSIC:  I set up a playlist of about 20 songs and set the time for 40 seconds. Then I place a transition song that repeats between songs that is about 10 seconds long.
  • Start music:  Students pass the ball back and forth. Start with a bounce pass which is usually more accurate and easier to catch.
  • Rotate: After the songs ends there is a ten second transition song for the person at the end of the rotating line to run up and take their place at the beginning of the line. Everyone else in the rotating line moves down one place.
  • Reminders: A good pass is one that your partner catches. How many passes can you make in 40 seconds.
  • Adjust the length of the pass according to each grade level. Then adjust during the activity for each grade level.
  • Vary the style of passes: Bounce, chest, overhead

Variations: Stop the activity at any time to make changes. The stationary line now gets a chance to run over and make the change this time. Here’s some possibilities:

  • Chest Pass with Playground Balls/Basketballs
  • Bounce Pass with Playground Balls/Basketballs
  • Beanbags
  • Foam balls
  • Deck Rings
  • Footballs
  • Spinjammers/ Soft Frisbee
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Tunnels

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Equipment and Setup:

  • (Use Soft Soccer style ball or beanbags )
  • One ball or beanbag for each student
  • Chose partners – Decide who will be the tunnel to start the activity. The partner will be moving around the gym and try to close all of the tunnels by moving their ball or beanbag through tunnel.

Guidelines:

  • The people who are “tunnels” may pass a ball to themselves in the air, while the other students are dribbling their balls. If you’re using a beanbag, the tunnel can just throw and catch with themselves.
  • The partner will get a ball and begin to dribble with their feet in the playing area. If you’re using a beanbag and just throw and catch in the air, or practice sliding it.
  • When the activity begins half of the students will dribble their balls on the floor, and attempt to pass a ball through as many tunnels as possible. If you’re using beanbags, you’ll slide it through the legs.
  • The “tunnel” students should count how many balls or beanbags pass through their legs.
  • When five balls or beanbags have passed through a tunnel, that tunnel is closed and they sit down.
  • When all of the tunnels are closed, everyone sits down.
  • Partners connect with each other and change positions. There are new tunnels and new people moving to see how quickly they can close all of the tunnels.
  • Teacher may time students, then see if they can improve the time it takes to shut down all of the tunnels.
  • Variation: Tunnels open and close (jumping jack style)
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Jump Ropes

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K-2 Skills:

Short Rope – Every student has a rope and has personal space for jump roping.

Lay rope in a line in front of you in a straight line

  • Walk heel-toe from one end to the other while next to the line.
  • Walk heel toe backwards next to your  line.
  • Zig-Zag skier style (side to side) starting at one end, then turn around and return
  • Put one hand on each side of your rope and jump both feet back and forth.
  • Tightrope walker from one end to the other, then return

Lay rope in a circle in front of you

  • Balance on one foot and go as low as you can – then, as high as you can
  • Put one hand in the middle and see if you can move your feet 360 degrees around the circle
  • Leap into your rope on two feet
  • Leap in on one foot and out on one foot
  • Leap over your rope on two feet

Partners put your two ropes together and make a circle

  • Around the Lake Tag
  • Choose one person to be it
  • Try to tag your partner with a hand
  • Tag without going in “lake” or into the forest (rest of gym)
  • When tagged – count thousand one, thousand two, switch “its”

Before you jump rope… 

  • Thread the Needle (hand on both handles and jump over it)
  • Swing the rope and stop it with your feet.
  • When you’re ready to jump, just watch for the rope to be closer your feet Most people miss because they jump too soon.

Long Rope for K,1,2: Teacher is the rope turner

It works best initially if the teacher turns the long rope by hooking one end of the rope to an eye bolt on the wall.

  • Ocean Waves (Up and down ripple)
  • Snake Jump (Side to side ripple)
  • Blue bells (back and forth jump)

School: Long Jump Rope Activity 

3rd/4th/5th Skills

Novice:

  • Single Side Swing and Jump – Always keep a handle in each hand
  • Cue: left-jump-right – jump
  • Swing rope to right side – jump
  • Swing rope to left side – jump

Scissors – Forward Straddle

  • Cue: Left-Right
  • Jump to stride position with left foot forward
  • Jump and reverse position of feet

Straddle Cross

  • Cue: Apart – Cross
  • Jump to straddle position
  • Jump to crossed legs

Wounded Duck

  • Cue: Apart-Cross
  • Jump, toes and knees together, heels spread
  • Jump, heels together, toes and knees spread
  • Heel – Toe
  • Heel – Toe – Heel – Toe
  • Hop on left foot, touch right heel forward
  • Hop on left foot again, touch right toe backward
  • Repeat on opposite side
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Climbing Wall Tag

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This is an “everybody it” tag game.

Equipment and Setup:

  • Many elementary schools have climbing walls that are not higher than eight feet. These “traversing walls” can be used in this game.
  • Open part or all of the climbing wall, so students have the room to climb up and down.
  • Emphasize climbing up and down the wall.

Guidelines:

  • Everyone is “it” to start the game.
  • Students may tag each other by using the a two-finger (peace) tag on the back of their classmates.
  • Three Second Standing Base: Players are immune from being tagged if they are standing and balancing on one foot. They can only do this for three seconds. Then, they have to move around the gym before they stand and balance on one foot again.
  • When a student is tagged they go to the wall and climb up and tap their hand above the highest handhold.
  • Then, climb back down and reenter the game.

 

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Basketball: Guard the Target

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This a great small group activity that allows for a lot of practice passing a basketball or a softer ball for younger students.

Equipment and Setup:

  • One Basketball of Playground ball per group and one foam target.
  • Break  into groups of six to eight students.
  • Form a circle that is outside the distance of a 4 square court. Use the 4-square court if you are able to.
  • One person is in the middle, their job is to try and keep the foam target from being knocked over.

Guidelines

  • The players in the circle pass the ball around the outside of the circle until they see someone open that has a good shot at knocking over the target.
  • If the foam target is knocked over, the person in the center goes to the circle and those two players exchange places.
  •  Play continues with a new person in the middle.

Other Ideas: If the skill level is very high, you could add a second ball.

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