Fun Variations of Dodgeball for Kids
: Everybody knows that it’s more important than ever for kids to get out and play. But recess gets a little hard to handle when rain keeps kids inside, and finding decent games to get kids up and active can get a little challenging. This is usually when the age old favorite dodgeball is brought back into play.
Dodgeball is suitable for any kids from fourth grade to high school. Typically played between equal groups of kids on opposite side of the gym, you can make smaller teams by splitting the gym in two with a gym divider curtain if your school has one. This will help to keep out any interference from the other game, as well as keep the balls in their playing area.
This classic has several variations that can be used to make it more interesting. Just be sure that your gym wall pads are up and ready as kids tend to get very excited and can accidentally crash into walls and even posts attempting to get out of the way of the balls.With that in mind, here are some fun variations on the classic game of dodgeball to play during gym or recess. So pull up the gym floor covers and prep the gym divider curtain because it’s time to have some fun with one of the classics!
‘Traitor Ball’ is a variation that requires the teams be randomly selected. One person on each side is designated a ‘traitor’ and is actually playing for the opposite team from which they are stationed. You may even choose to let each team know who their traitor is, so they can subtly assist them during play. This variation allows teammates to attack each other, with hits and catches counting even between non-traitorous teammates. Players may accuse the traitor and attack if they suspect someone is a traitor. The idea is for the traitor to pick when the best time is to turn against the team they’re standing in and they may also bluff when accused and falsely accuse others in play.
‘Battleship Dodgeball’ will require the use of floor mats or even sturdy gym floor coversor even removable gym wall pads if you have them, and is great for if you need to quell overly rambunctious kids and not have a lot of running and movement. Pins are set up on each corner of these mats and teams are comprised of a few ships set up on their side of the playing field, much like the game it’s named for. Each ship can have between 4 and 5 people. To sink a ship, the opposing side must knock down each of the pins on a ship. Only one person from each ship may step off of the mat at any given time, and then they may only retrieve balls for their ship mates and cannot throw them themselves. The game is won when one side sinks all of the other team’s ships.
‘Dr. Dodgeball’ features a leader who can revive team mates. In this game when players are hit they either sit or lie down and wait for their doctor to revive them. Once revived they and can get up and play again. This makes the Doctor the primary target and you can either let the doctors be known before hand or keep it a secret so the opposing team has to figure it out themselves. ‘Fake Doctors’ are a tactic that can be used by teams to help protect the identity of their doctor, as the games end quite quickly once a team’s doctor is out. The game is over once one side’s players are all out, or sometimes when their doctor is out.
‘King’s Court’ is another leader variation like Dr. Dodgeball, but once a team’s king is hit the game is over.
Rain or shine, kids love the classic game of dodgeball and it’s a shoe-in for most indoor recess games to keep kids active. Introduce in new rule sets and variations to help keep the game more interesting for kids. Just be sure to always have up the proper safety equipment such as gym wall pads or safety padding on obstacles and to keep an adult referee to monitor the game. That way everyone can have fun and be safe too!
When it comes to keeping kids safe, All Court Covers has the equipment you need to outfit your gym. From a new gym divider curtain to custom logo wall pads on the walls, your players can be sure to have fun and be safe too!
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