Holiday Spirit Throw and Go

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Equipment: 10-12 hoops for targets plus one hoop for every two players, 3 poly spots per target, or taped lines on the floor, 50 or more balls that can be easily thrown (tennis balls, fleece balls, foam balls, etc.).

Safety considerations: Remind the students that they will be moving in different directions so they must be vigilant to avoid collisions. No one may throw a ball over the head of anyone else. Make sure there is a clear path before throwing the ball.

The Game:

• Tell the class that they are going to play a holiday game. The idea of the game is to deliver holiday spirit to peoples' homes. The balls represent holiday spirit. The hoop targets represent successful spirit, the rest of the hoops represent the homes that the spirit will be delivered into. Of course you can also say the balls represent gifts.
• Before the class comes, hang 10 to 12 hoops on the wall in different locations of the play area. Set three poly sports at three different distances from each hoop. If you prefer, tape three lines at three different distances from each hoop.
• Place a container, or several containers, filled with balls in the center of the play area.
• Divide the class into pairs. If one person remains, make one group of three.
• Give each pair one hoop and have them place it somewhere on the periphery of the play area. Make sure you spread them out as much as possible.
• On the "Go" signal (I like to play holiday music. When the music begins the game begins, when the music stops, the round is over) one person from each pair runs out and gets one ball; she then finds any empty poly spot and throws the ball at the hoop target. If the ball goes into the hoop, she retrieves the ball, and places it in any hoop except her own and the two closest (adjacent) hoops to hers. She then goes back and tags her partner. He runs out and does the same thing. Keep going relay style.
• The idea is to give holiday spirit not to get it. Therefore you do not place the ball (spirit) in your own hoop. You also do not place it in the two hoops on either side of you. This rule encourages the players to look for hoops away from theirs that have only a few balls in it. You may not prevent someone from placing a ball in your hoop.
• If you throw the ball from the closest spot, you may only place that ball in a hoop. If you throw the ball from the middle spot, you may take one additional ball from your hoop and place both balls in another hoop or you may spread the two balls around. If you throw the ball from the farthest spot, you may take two additional balls from your hoop. If you miss the target, you must retrieve the ball and place it back in the center, before tagging your partner.
• Play for time: See how many balls are left in the center. See how many balls are in each hoop. Play additional rounds. With each round, try to get more balls from the center and/or have less number of balls in your own hoop.
• Note: good strategy would be to throw from the shortest distance at the beginning of the game, since there are no balls in any of the hoops. However, let the students figure this out for themselves.

Variations:

1. Use white fleece balls and tell the students they are snowballs.
2. Vary the distances from the target depending on the kind of balls used and the ability of the students.
3. Instead of the students coming out relay style have them both come out and move as in Pass and Run. Only the player without the ball may move. Therefore they have to work their way to the target. If the ball drops, they must put it back, run back and both must jump in and out of their hoop, and begin again.
4. Use all different kinds of balls.
5. Place a bull's-eye in the center of each hoop: for example - a cardboard red circle. If the bull's-eye is hit, you may take an additional ball from your hoop.