Physical Activity at School - Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU)

Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of 3. If the class is uneven, having a group of 2 will work.
• Each group will be given one small, bouncy ball and each player will have a racquet.
• Make sure the courts that each group will use are well labelled (use tape or the floor markings or even pylons). Ensure there is enough space between groups.
• Have students play "Rock-paper-scissors" to determine which player will start off the game and the hitting order.
• Have player 3 stand a few feet behind player 1.
• Player 1 will serve and then move back so player 3 can take his/her spot. Player 2 will return and then player 3 will hit and fall back so player 1 can go into that spot. This will continue until a ball is not returned.
• Whoever hit the ball that was not returned gets a point.
• Objective: To try to accurately place your shot in a spot that the partner would find difficult to get to or return. The idea is to get the partner moving to the ball.
• Rules: The ball must hit above the 2 feet line on the wall. The ball can bounce once before being hit again. The ball cannot hit the floor before hitting the wall. Players can shoot the ball from out of bounds if ball bounced in bounds.
• Safety: Eye goggles must be worn. Leave enough space between courts so that players running out of bounds will not collide with other students. Make sure that all students take responsibility for retrieving the ball and that they keep their heads up and are aware of their surroundings when retrieving the ball. Make sure the rotation between player 1 and 3 is done in a consistent manner (for example, always turn to the right to get out of the way).

Questions:

Q. Where should you position yourself after you hit the ball and why?
Q. Where would you aim to hit the ball if your opponent was near the front of the court? The back of the court?
Q. What type of shot did you find to be more difficult? Easy? Why?

Safety:

1. Eye goggles must be worn
2. Students must be wearing proper foot attire given the agility and speed often required.
3. Court sizes must be large enough to allow for movement. There must also be a fair distance between each court to avoid collisions.

Modifications:

1. For the warm-up, instead of having students run to the "red" line if they fumble the ball, have them do a push up or 3 jumping jacks on the spot instead. You can also have students run to the end of the line once they have thrown the ball against the wall to increase the pace of the warm-up. Students will have to move along the starting line while throwing and catching.

Q. Does your accuracy change when the speed of the warm up increases?

2. For both activities, you can make the games elimination game whereby students play until 1 player is left who is the winner. The winner can then start off the next game. You can also make the court sizes bigger. For Activity #1, you can change the rules so that the ball can bounce only once. You can change the type of ball used or add in the racquet and use a soft bouncy ball.

Q. As the court size gets bigger, how does your swing change?
Q. When the type of ball changes, how does your hitting ability change? Why?
Q. What did you do to adjust to the change in equipment (ball or racquet)?

3. To make the modified game more challenging, set up courts that involve the corner walls so that students practice their hitting and returning skills when angles are involved. Have students rotate around the gym in a clockwise direction to the different courts. Be aware of potential obstacles like pipes, electrical outlets, fire extinguishers, windows, etc on the walls. Make sure students are aware of them and that they take precautions to avoid them.

Q. How did the corner shot change your game? (i.e. pace, accuracy, etc.)
Q. Did the corner shot work to your advantage or not?