All Activities
Physical Education

Simple Dodge Ball

Overview

One team throws soft balls at the other team who must dodge. Hit players sit out until their team catches a ball.

Learning Objective
Students develop agility and throwing accuracy in a fast-moving team game.

Resources needed

  • Soft balls or tied cloth balls
  • Marked playing area

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Divide the space into two halves with a clear line.
  2. 2 Divide students into two equal teams, one on each side.
  3. 3 Teams throw balls to hit players on the other side below the waist.
  4. 4 Hit players sit down on the spot.
  5. 5 If a player catches a throw, the thrower sits down.
  6. 6 Seated players return if a teammate catches a ball.
  7. 7 Play for 3 minutes, then count remaining standing players.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Only one ball in play for a simpler version.
  • Hit players move to the opponent's back line and throw from there.
  • No sitting out — just count hits and reset every 2 minutes.
More information

Teach: throw, dodge, catch, out, in. Explain rules simply using demonstration before playing.

Use a very soft ball. Allow sitting players to stand again after 30 seconds rather than waiting for a catch.

Are students dodging with intention (moving sideways, ducking) or just running away? Is their throwing aimed below the waist?

Tied cloth or scrunched newspaper balls are soft and free. Mark the halfway line with a stick in the ground.

Students throw at the head. Reinforce firmly: below the waist only, every time. Stop the game to correct this.

Dodgeball develops agility, spatial awareness, and throwing under pressure. Keep the rules simple for maximum activity time.

Activity details
Primary Medium 20–25 minutes 5 minutes prep Whole Class, Small Group Outdoor
Topics
Agility Throwing Reaction Time