There are so many alternatives to the traditional game of dodgeball that many enjoy playing. Some are themed and can combine a number of skills to make it more challenging and exciting, while others have multiple ways a team can win. Many skills are practiced during these dodgeball alternative games, including agility, catching, throwing, coordination, teamwork, jumping, running and dodging.
If you’re an after school program or a summer camp, these games are great for integrating movement and exercise into the day. According to Active Schools, only 6 states in the US require physical education in every grade, so you can really make a difference with the children in your program by providing these opportunities to get active. If you are considering introducing one or two of these to your PE Program, games like this can be a nice break from strict skill building drills once in awhile in order to focus on the fun part of physical activity.
We’ve gathered a few of our favorite dodgeball alternative games for you to try, and have also listed the equipment you will need for each dodgeball variation. Many of the supplies can be substituted for similar items, but you will want to make sure you that you have quality Gator Skin Dodgeballsto use during the games, and floor tape if you do not have a playing area defined by boundaries like a basketball court.
Star Wars Dodgeball
Anything Star Wars themed is going to be a popular activity, so why not combine some staple Star Wars objects like light sabers, death stars and generators to really add to the fun! Below are two different ways to play with two teams. One involves moving the Death Star past the other team’s goal line while using Gator Skin Balls, and the other challenges players to knock over light sabers in enemy territory and end the game with a final goal scoring.
Star Wars Dodgeball Version 1 – from Fit Kids Health Kids
Be the first team to knock down all the other teams’ light sabers and destroy their generator
Equipment Needed:
- Gator Skin Dodgeballs
- Hoops
- Noodles
- 2 Hockey/soccer nets
- Cones that fit noodles
Set Up:
- Place hockey nets backwards (generator) facing the wall about 2 feet away on each teams’ side.
- Scattered in front of the net, place 5 noodles into cones (light sabers) so they stand up right and place a hula hoop around them.
Game Objectives and Rules:
Objective #1 – Each team is to try to knock down the other team’s light-sabers (noodles) with the gator skin balls or by entering the opponents zone and knocking down the noodle with their hand (only one light saber at a time).
Objective # 2 – Once a team has successfully knocked down all the light-sabers they can complete the final objective. They are to throw the ball into the net by bouncing it off of the wall to destroy the other team’s generator.
- Once a player enters the opponents zone they can be tagged by the other team.
- If they are tagged, they must sit down and wait for a member of their team to rescue them.
- Once they are rescued, they are given a free walk back to their side.
Fit Kids Healthy Kids has even provided some great adaptations for younger children or progressions for older children and adults to make the game more challenging. Head to their site to check them out here.
Star Wars Dodgeball Version 2 – from Phys Ed Review
Be the first team to move the Death Star past the other team’s goal line.
Equipment Needed:
- Gator Skin Dodgeballs(Asteroids)
- Cones(debris)
- Large Exercise Ball(Death Star)
Set Up:
- Scatter equal numbers of cones on each team’s side
- Provide both teams an equal number of Gator Skin Dodgeballs
- In the center of the playing area, place the exercise ball
Game Objectives and Rules:
Objective – For each team to use Gator Skin balls to hit the Death Star and move it forward past the opposing team’s goal line.
- All students must stay behind their throwing line
- If the Death Star goes past the goal line or touches another player, the game stops. A point is scored and the game begins again
Phys Ed Review has provided a great image for the layout here.
Three Way Capture the Flag
This dodgeball alternative combines a number of elements and a few different ways for one of two teams to win the game. It can open the opportunity for teammates to strategize and work together to try and win.
Equipment needed:
- Gator Skin Dodgeballs
- Cones
- Wiffle Balls
- Flags
Set Up:
- Place 6 cones spaced evenly with wiffle balls on top on each team’s baseline.
- Place a flag in the center of the baseline on each team’s side
- Provide each team with 6 Gator Skin Dodgeballs
- Before the game, each team chooses one person to be the secret unfreezer (when a player is frozen, this is the only person that can unfreeze that player)
Game Objectives and Rules:
Objective – Be the first team to do one of the following:
- If the flag is captured from the opposing team and brought back to the capturing team’s side
- If all wiffle balls are knocked off the opposing team’s cones
- If all players on the opposing team are frozen
How players get frozen/unfrozen:
- A player is caught on the opposing teams side and must go to the other team’s jail
- When an opposingteam player catches a ball thrown across the gymnasium by the other team.
- When a player isfrozen they can be unfrozen by the secret unfreezer.
This game was the courtesy of Rick Dekeon on Burn Park PE website.
Dino Dodgeball
This dodgeball game variation allows players to use their imagination and knock T-Rex out of his cage on the opposing team’s side. Perfect for a summer camp dinosaur theme.
Equipment Needed:
- Gator Skin Dodgeballs
- Inflatable T-Rex
- Floor Tape
Set Up:
- Tape off a rectangle about 3’ wide x 4’ long with the floor tape about 15’ back from a centerline on each side (thisis T-Rex’s “cage”)
- Inflate and Place a T-Rex facing forward near the front edge of the taped off area / cage on each side
- Provide each team with 6 Gator Skin Dodgeballs
Game Objectives and Rules:
Objective – Each team has captured a Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur and placed them in a “cage” while the opposing team defends the T-Rex. To win the game, one teamneeds to break the other team’s cage and free the T-Rex using the gator skin balls.
- Players are not allowed tointentionally cross the center line at any point during the game with their feet.
- To free T-Rex, he must be movedcompletely outside the taped area. If T-Rex isknocked over, his entire body must still be moved outside of the taped lines.
- To move T-Rex, players can throw, roll or even kick any of the balls at the
opponents T-Rex
Variation:Add a “no play zone” that is about 6 to 8 feet wide and extends from the front of T-Rex to the centerline. Thiswill help eliminate accidental and intentional hits of players standing in front of T-Rex. If balls enter this zone, players are allowed to quickly run into the zone to remove a ball and immediately exit.
(You can also add these Inflatable Dinosaur Eggs for an additional challenge. Teams can either try to move the eggs over the other team’s goal line, or knock them off of a cone or mat. Add even more of a challenge by including our mini gator skin balls, which can only be used to knock out the egg)
Why We Suggest Gator Skin Dodgeballs for Dodgeball Games
Many of the Dodgeball alternative games mentioned above will need a coated foam ball like Gator Skin, so that they are heavy enough to knock over objects, easier to grip, and provide better throwing accuracy. Since there are participants involved in blocking, protecting, and catching the balls being thrown at the targets, you will want to make sure you are using balls that have no sting. Gator Skin balls are 20% lighter than playground balls and have a proprietary polypolyurethane coating, so they are virtually sting free and lighter than competing coated foam balls on the market – we call them The King of No Sting for that very reason. Also in recent years, there has been a growing need for latex free equipment. Most of our Gator Skin Dodgeballs are Certified Latex Free.
Shop our dozens of different Gator Skin Balls here.
FAQs
What type of activity is dodgeball? ›
Dodgeball is a team sport in which players on two teams try to throw balls and hit opponents, while avoiding being hit themselves.
What games can you play with a dodgeball? ›- 1 Bombardment. 1.1 Court variation. 1.2 Other variations.
- 2 Blob Ball.
- 3 Courts & Revival.
- 4 Doctor dodgeball.
- 5 Fireball. 5.1 Team Fireball.
- 6 Gaga.
- 7 Killerball.
- 8 King's Court.
The objective of dodgeball is to eliminate all players of the opposing team by throwing game balls and hitting the opposing player below the shoulders on the fly.
What is dodgeball called now? ›The new game, called Gaga ball, is similar to dodgeball in that players do their best to win by avoiding getting hit by foam balls aimed at them by other players — but there a handful of differences separating the two games.
What's another name for dodgeball? ›| army dodgeball | battleball |
|---|---|
| prisonball | prison dodgeball |
| prisoner dodgeball | protect the pin |
| PTP | queen ball |
| scatterball | Swedish dodgeball |
- Cardiovascular workout.
- Increased agility.
- Improved reactions.
- Improved concentration levels.
- Team-building skills developed.
Dodging. Implied by the name, the most important skill to learn when playing dodgeball is dodging. While you can duck to avoid balls being thrown at you, it's a good idea to jump because most players will aim for your lower body.
What are the important things to consider while playing dodgeball? ›- #1 – Throw Fast and Hard. Dodgeballs are designed in such a way that they bounce off the human body without causing major injuries. ...
- #2 – Aim for Your Opponent's Legs or Feet. ...
- #3 – Stay in the Back if You're Tall. ...
- #7 – Play Often.
How to Play Dodgeball - YouTube
How do you play barrier in dodgeball? ›P.E. Games - Warzone Dodgeball - YouTube
How do we play the dodgeball game? ›
IDA Dodgeball 101 - How To Play Dodgeball Rules - YouTube
How many dodgeballs are used in a game? ›6 balls will be used. The official will place 3 balls at the off-sides/center line for each team. Players must start behind their own baseline before the start of play. Anyone can possess and throw any of the six balls that are in play.
Where is dodgeball most popular? ›He explains from his wheelchair that the five D's of dodgeball are: “Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge.” To make the moment memorable, he dumps out a bag of wrenches and boldly states, “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.”
What is the nature and background of dodgeball? ›Dodgeball Originated in Africa
As a matter of fact, it was played with rocks instead of rubber balls, and was used to develop the strength and endurance of warriors. They would literally throw rocks at each other with the intention of incapacitating them.
...
National Dodgeball League.
| Current season, competition or edition: 2016–17 NDL season | |
|---|---|
| National Dodgeball League Logo | |
| Sport | Dodgeball |
| Founded | 2004 |
| CEO | Edward Prentiss |
: a game in which players stand in a circle and try to hit opponents within the circle with a large inflated ball.
Who invented dodgeball? ›Philip Ferguson is generally regarded as the person most responsible for taking dodgeball over to America and popularising it. He saw the boys of St. Mary's College playing and he hit upon an idea for the game that would make it quicker and faster.
Is dodgeball one word or two? ›What type of word is 'dodgeball'? Dodgeball is a noun - Word Type.
How does dodgeball help with teamwork? ›In dodgeball players must have respect for each other, for their opponents and for the officials. Great teamwork in dodgeball is achieved through good communication, working as a team in both attack and defence in order to defeat the opponents.
What moral values can you get in playing dodgeball game? ›
Good Sportsmanship: Good sportsmanship is one of the life lessons that children can learn from sports. Dodgeball can help your children understand and value good sportsmanship while making sure they have a safe and fun sports experience.
Why is communication important in dodgeball? ›Communication is key. Each player has to work together to ensure dodgeballs are distributed across the team to give the best opportunity of winning the game. It's important to be in the company of others who are looking out for their teammates. This is an area where games can be won, and confidence enhanced.
Do you think accuracy training is important for playing dodgeball? ›Accuracy: There's no point in having strength if you can't control it. Granted, there's no point in putting a ball where you want it at 49 mph (as I am often reminded), but accuracy is just as important as power.
Is dodgeball good for kids? ›Not really for kids under 14
Funny movie for adults. Too much innuendo and flat out vulgar language.
- Hitting an opposing player with a LIVE thrown ball.
- Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground.
- A player is eliminated if they drop a ball while attempting to make a catch or a ball is knocked out of their hand by an attacking ball.
Dodgeball is a game which is usually played by two teams. The teams throw balls at each other while trying to avoid getting hit by the balls. In the United States, dodgeball is usually played by kids, but internationally, it is gaining popularity in high school and college.
How do you play secret agent in dodgeball? ›The goal is for players to capture the other team's cones and bring them to their own side. If a player goes onto the opponent's side to capture a cone and is tagged they must sit down where they were tagged. A player can be rescued if a teammate tags them.
How do you play circle dodgeball? ›P.E. Games - Circle Dodgeball - YouTube
What is a jailbreak in dodgeball? ›Also known as Jail Ball or Jailbreak or prison ball follows the same rules as normal Dodgeball, except that it incorporates the goal boxes on either end of the court; they are referred to as "jails." When a player gets out, he goes to "jail." In order for a player to get out of jail they must use a ball to get a player ...
Why is flexibility important in dodgeball? ›Flexibility plays an important role in throwing sports such as dodgeball – the throwing motion requires a complex interaction between strength and flexibility of the shoulder muscles (Bigliani et al., 1997).
How do you get better reflexes in dodgeball? ›
You can perform various agility and footwork drills, such as running sideways or backwards, shuffling and running obstacle courses, ladders and tires to improve your first-step speed and quickness, suggests David Sandler in “Sports Power.” For example, begin a ladder sidestep drill by standing with your left side next ...
How do you stretch for dodgeball? ›How to WARM UP for DODGEBALL | Part 01 - YouTube
What ball is used in dodgeball? ›2.2. 1.1 Standard Dodgeball – The Preferred Dodgeball that is primarily used shall be the Champion Sports PG8. 5; a nylon wound, two ply, 8.5 inch diameter rubber playground ball, which is available in a number of wonderful colors.
How long is a game of dodgeball? ›Each game lasts up to four (4) minutes running time. Each game starts with six (6) balls lined up on the mid-court line. Each team must be lined up behind their own end line at the start.
How long can you hold the ball in dodgeball? ›If your teammate catches a ball, the player at the start of your team's “resurrection” line comes back into play after touching the wall (the teammate must be in the line at the time of the catch to be eligible to be brought back in). You can only hold a ball for 10 seconds, afterwards, it will be considered dead.
How long can you hold the dodgeball for? ›No player can hold the ball for longer than 5 seconds. Penalty- roll the ball gently to the other team. The opposing team is responsible for calling the stall count.
Is dodgeball a outdoor game? ›Dodge ball can be played indoors or outdoors. The ideal playing area is a rectangle identical to a volleyball court that's 60 ft long by 30 ft wide. The court is divided in half by a center line. An "attack line" is marked 10 ft from the center line on each side of the court.
How many dodgeball players are there in the world? ›According to the World Dodgeball Association, which works with 62 national federations on six continents, there are more than 67.5 million dodgeball players worldwide.
Is dodgeball a contact sport? ›A player may not enter or exit the court through the sidelines at any time, including avoiding being hit or attempting to catch a ball. Players must not have any part of their body cross the centerline and contact the ground on the opponents' side of the court.
What are games like capture the flag? ›- Capture the Flag. To start, divvy up at least six kids into two teams, each with a nice-sized territory — use neighboring driveways and fences to mark borders. ...
- Bad Bunny. ...
- Ringolevio. ...
- Ghost in the Graveyard. ...
- Statue Maker. ...
- Manhunt. ...
- Steal the Bacon. ...
- Kick the Can.
How do you play outside of dodgeball? ›
How to Play Dodgeball - YouTube
Is Gaga ball like dodgeball? ›Gaga Ball is a kinder, gentler form of dodge ball that can be played by almost everyone. The equipment needed to play is minimal and includes a soft playground ball, an octagonal or circular pit and eager participants.
How do you play the Blob ball? ›Physical Education Games - Blob Tag - YouTube
What games are good for big groups? ›- Spontuneous. Use the power of your voice to help players guess the song, in a simple party board game. ...
- Skull. This board game is light on rules, but heavy on the tension. ...
- Mafia de Cuba. ...
- Monikers.
Outdoor play for your toddler might include: throwing and chasing balls. wheeling, pushing or pulling different toys and objects. walking, running or jumping around trees, over stones or cracks in the footpath, into puddles or towards favourite objects.
What are outdoor games give example? ›- Hide and Seek. Everyone has played this one. ...
- Kick the Can. This game is a variation of tag and hide & seek. ...
- Capture the Flag. This game is most fun when played with a large group. ...
- Parachute. ...
- Traffic Cop. ...
- Four Square. ...
- Hopscotch. ...
- Jump-Rope and Double Dutch.
There are two competitors on a trampoline. The air ball is thrown on and the game commences. You must slap, push or punch the ball at your opponent with the aim of hitting them anywhere below the waist. You cannot physically hold or grasp the ball into throwing it.
How do you play fitness in dodgeball? ›Physical Education Games - Fitness Dodgeball - YouTube
What are the benefits of playing dodgeball? ›- Cardiovascular workout.
- Increased agility.
- Improved reactions.
- Improved concentration levels.
- Team-building skills developed.
Rules of Gaga Ball
Turn up the music, everyone for him/herself; if the ball touches you below the knee, you're out. The last one in the pit wins. Then, everyone hops back in for the next round. Games last no more than five minutes.
How fast can a dodgeball throw? ›
The 52 throws that range from 55 to 58 make up 12.5%. A wide range of throws were logged: collegiate dodgeball players recorded throws across a 46 mph range, from 30 to 76 mph.
Do they still play dodgeball in schools? ›Administrators have been discussing the contention over dodgeball for several years, and it seems that in today's world where school bullying is getting mainstream attention, there is no longer a place for such elimination games in the nation's current curriculums.
How do I open a blob video file? ›Right-click on the webpage and click “Inspect” in the menu. When the DevTools panel opens, click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and select “Undock into a separate window.” Press Ctrl + F on Windows or Cmd + F on Mac devices to find the blob URL. Enter “ blob:HTTP ” to find the link for the video.