Playground Games

During class, we talked about the idea of teaching playground games during the first couple weeks of school. If all kids know the rules and have learned how to play the games, they spend more time playing instead of arguing or getting into some other kind of problem during their recess time. We try to keep the rules simple. As always, change them to fit your own needs. The three games we teach are as follows:

Wall Ball

This is the kids' favorite game. You need to have some blank wall space surrounded by asphalt. Courts can be as wide as you like--12 to 15 ft. is about right if you have the space. Just paint lines out from the wall (perpendicular to the wall). One playground ball per court.

1. A player cannot be put out on the serve. DSDR -- Decent serve, decent return.
2. Ball must hit the ground once before hitting the wall.
3. Ball can only be hit with arms or fist. No open hands.
4. Ball cannot be caught or held.
5. After the ball hits the wall, it can be played in the air or after it hits the ground one time.
6. Ball must land inside the boundary lines. Lines are out.
7. Winner gets to keep serving. New player inters the game.
8. Don't argue about a call. Play the point over.

Four Square

Serving: Player #4 serves the ball underhanded by first dropping the ball to the ground and then hitting it to square 1, 2, or 3.
Play: Player receiving the serve and/or volley must keep the ball in play by striking the ball after it has bounced once in his/her square and direct the ball toward some other square.

1. Ball must be hit with both hands, fingers pointed down.
2. Ball must land inside a square. Lines are out.
3. Ball may not touch any part of the body except the hands.
4. No catching or carrying the ball.
5. Server must serve from inside the serving triangle.

Tetherball

Play: One player stands in each court. The server wraps the rope backwards one time around the pole before tossing the ball into the air and striking it with his/her hand or fist in the direction chosen. The opponent may not strike the ball until it passes on its second swing around the pole. As the ball travels, each player tries to hit it in an effort to wind the rope completely around the pole. The player who first winds the rope completely around the pole wins the game. Winning player gets to serve the next game. A player who commits a foul is out.

Fouls:
1. Only the hands and forearms can touch the ball.
2. Catching or holding the ball.
3. Touching the pole.
4. Touching the rope.
5. Stepping on or over the neutral zone line.