Partner Switch Dodgeball

Grade 4 · Gym/PE · 35 minutes · Indoor

Objective

Develop throwing accuracy, dodging skills, and quick decision-making while maintaining continuous active participation.

Equipment

• foam balls
• cones

Setup

Place cones to divide the gym into two equal halves with a center line. Students form pairs and each pair starts on opposite sides of the gym from each other.

How to Play

1. Each team tries to gently throw foam balls to tag players on the other side below the waist.
2. When a player is tagged, they must immediately run to find their partner on the opposite side.
3. The tagged player and their partner then switch sides together, with the partner becoming the new active player.
4. Players can catch balls to save themselves and their partner gets to throw the caught ball immediately.
5. All players are always either actively playing or quickly moving to switch sides.
6. After each switch, both partners give each other a high-five before the new player joins the game.
7. Play continues for 3-minute rounds with 1-minute rest breaks.

Variations

• Use only underhand throws for younger players
• Add a third team that rotates in every 2 minutes
• Players must skip or hop when switching sides

Safety Notes

Only foam balls below waist level, and players must look both ways when crossing the center line during switches.

Cool Down

Partners sit facing each other and practice gentle stretching while sharing one thing they did well during the game.

Differentiation

Support: Less athletic students can be paired with supportive partners and may throw from closer to the center line.

Extension: Strong players can only throw with their non-dominant hand or must complete a jumping jack before each throw.