Game of the Week: Bridge Ball

Group Size: 4 or more

Age Group:  Grades 1-6

Length of Activity:  10 minutes or more

Developmental Goal:  To improve hand-eye coordination and strategic play

Equipment:  One bouncy ball

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• Have everyone stand in a circle, foot to foot. Their legs should be slightly more than shoulder width apart, forming a “bridge.” Have everyone get into ready position with their hands on their knees.
• Make sure all players know not to reach in front of others in order to get the ball.

• The object of the game is for players to try to hit the ball between other players’ bridges (formed by their legs) and block balls from coming through their own bridges. Players get a letter in the word “bridge” each time the ball goes through their legs. Once a player has spelled bridge, the game restarts.
• Players may only hit the ball with an open palm. No throwing.
• They may catch the ball if it is head height. Then they must place the ball on the ground and hit it back into play.
• If a ball goes outside the circle, the player closest to it when it went out may go and get it.
• If the ball goes between a player’s legs, s/he gets a letter toward the word bridge. That player may go get the ball and hit it back in play.

• Instead of spelling bridge, players can turn around and play backwards once the ball has gone through their legs 1x, 2x, or however many times you decide.
• Add a ball or two once players know how to play.
• Put a player in the middle of the circle to keep the game moving faster.

Photo C – Faith Cathcart/The Oregonian

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