Circle Rescue Ball Transport

Grade 7 · Gym/PE · 35 minutes · Outdoor

Objective

Students will develop teamwork, communication, and coordination skills through collaborative problem-solving activities.

Equipment

• 4 hula hoops
• 8 foam balls
• 4 cones

Setup

Place four hula hoops in a large square formation about 30 feet apart, with cones marking each corner. Divide the class into four equal teams of 6-8 students. Each team starts at one hula hoop station with 2 foam balls inside their hoop.

How to Play

1. Teams must transport all balls from their starting hoop to the opposite hoop across the field.
2. Players can only move balls by forming human chains and passing hand-to-hand – no throwing or carrying alone.
3. If a ball touches the ground during transport, the entire team must return to their starting hoop and begin again.
4. Teams must stay connected in their human chain at all times during ball transport.
5. Once a team successfully moves both balls to the opposite hoop, they help other teams complete their mission.
6. The activity continues until all four teams have successfully transported their balls.
7. Teams then rotate clockwise to the next station and repeat the challenge with a new route.

Variations

• Add more balls to increase difficulty
• Require teams to move in specific formations like single file or side-by-side
• Create obstacles using cones that teams must navigate around while maintaining their chain

Safety Notes

Remind students to maintain safe spacing in their human chains and communicate clearly when passing balls to prevent collisions.

Cool Down

Have teams sit in their hoops and take three deep breaths together, then share one positive thing about how their team worked together.

Differentiation

Support: Allow struggling students to be stationed in the middle of human chains where they have support on both sides, or assign them as team coaches to help direct strategy.

Extension: Challenge advanced students to complete the task with eyes closed except for one designated 'guide' per team, or require teams to transport balls using only non-dominant hands.