Rescue Football

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Rescue Football
 

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4

Equipment: Several Footballs, Mats, and Pinnies. Grade: 3-5
Purpose of Event: Overhand Throwing (football), Teamwork, and Catching
Time: 20-25 minutes

Organization:  Divide the playing area in half, place three blue mats on each half of the gym, divide the students into two teams, spread the footballs evenly around the playing area.
Description:  Start with the teams on their own half of the playing area, select one player to stay on their side, this is the QB, the rest of the players go over and stand on the blue mats; they are the receivers.  The QB throws the footballs from his team’s side of the gym to his teammates on the blue mats; if they catch a football, they can go to their side of the gym and become QB’s.  If a QB’s pass is intercepted, they must return to the blue mats and again receive.  Keep playing until one team has everyone either as a QB or a receiver; if your team is all QB’s, you win; if your team is all receivers, you lose.
Concerns: Being safe while throwing the footballs (not at face). Make sure students are staying in their order. For the older kids: No cheating!!!! 
This idea is from: PE staff within Sioux Falls School District 

 


 

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Football Hoop Tag


Football Hoop Tag
 

State Standard: 1, & 3

Equipment:  5 hoops, 5 nerf footballs (may need more depending on number of students) 3 noodles (for tagging), music
Grade: 4-8 (1-3 with koosh balls)
Purpose of Event: Throwing and Catching skills, Locomotor movement
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description: 

Scatter 5 hoops around on the floor, and have a student start in each with a football. (You may need to add hoops/balls)  Give out 3 noodles for tagging.  At the start of the music, the taggers start to tag as many people as possible (people in the hoops cannot be tagged).  If you get tagged you are frozen.  Once frozen you must get the attention of someone in a hoop and have them throw you a football.  If the football is caught, you are un-frozen, and take the spot of the person in the hoop, that threw you the ball.  If you do NOT catch the ball you remain frozen until you catch a ball.  People that are not frozen, need to pick up the balls that are not caught, and give them back to the students in the hoops, because the students in the hoops may not leave the hoops until they are replaced.  You cannot be frozen if you have a football in your hands.

Stop every couple of minutes to switch taggers, also change the locomotor movements.

I would play this with lower grades, but use a koosh ball instead and have more hoops and balls since the throwing and catching isn’t as controlled.

Concerns: Be cautious of the hoops, don’t step on them, they slide.  Throw carefully, lots of movement going on.
This idea is from: “Great Activities”

 

Touch Down


Touch Down

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4

Equipment:  Nerf Footballs/Rag ball (6+), 2 jerseys, 
Grade: 4+
Purpose of Event: Work on Throwing/Catching skills, defending a receiver
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description:

Divide gym lengthwise into 4 zones (2 center zones and 2 end zones). Half the team is in their center zone (quarterbacks)  and the other half of the team is in their end zone (receivers).  The opposing team sets up the same way with the quarterback in their center zone and the receivers at the opposite end of the gym in their end zone.  Each team starts off with 3 balls.

The object of the game is for the quarterbacks to complete as many passes to their receivers in the time allotted.  Each completion from the quarterbacks to the receiver is a touchdown.  teams must record their own scores.  Receivers must get the balls back to their own quarterbacks but no points are scored from their completions.  The opposing teams quarterbacks can try to intercept passes as long as they stay in their own zones.  Any quarterback can throw to any of their receivers.  Switch the receivers and quarterback periodically during play.

After the students understand the concept of the activity and are catching and receiving fairly easily, add a defender.  The defender must wear a Jersey and is allowed to move anywhere through the zones.  this activity works great in teaching the children to move to receive their passes to get away from the defense player.  The defender was also allowed to pick up balls to return to the quarterbacks.  Change this person periodically also.

Can use a regular ball instead of a football.

Concerns: Be careful of where you are throwing the ball, and watch were you are going.
This idea is from:

 

Razzle Dazzle Football


Razzle Dazzle Football

State Standard: 1 & 3

Equipment: Cones for 2 fields, nerf football, jerseys 
Grade: 3+
Purpose of Event: Throwing, Catching, short passes, team strategies, ball movement
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description:

Divide class into 4 even teams, play on two fields that are side by side (if possible).  A good length of the field is about 50 yards.  If you have uneven sides then have a person rotate in on every play so one will be sitting out only one play.

To begin the game, rock-paper-scissors to see who gets the ball first.

One team member starts with the ball (quarterback) and they get up to 4 chances to throw the ball to someone on their team and have them catch the ball.  When their team makes a catch, the student that caught the ball becomes the quarterback and they get 4 more chances.  IF the other team intercepts (catches) or knocks down the ball, it is not a turn-over, it just counts as one of the 4 chances (throws).

After 4 chances, if no one from the quarterbacks team catches the ball, the ball goes to the other team.  The other team takes possession of the ball right where the quarterback is at.   If the quarterbacks team score (gets the ball to the other end of the gym) the other team takes possession of the ball at that end of the gym.

Teams must have 4 Catches before they can score.  I don’t allow guarding the quarterback, but they can guard (without touching) any other player.  When you are the quarterback you may not move your feet other than to adjust to throw.

-Alternative-    The team that has the ball has 4 DOWNS to bring the ball down the field over the end line.  Downs happen when the person with the ball is tagged or when the ball it is thrown to an other teammate and the ball is dropped.  Teams then line-up on each side of the ball and the ball is passed back to the quarter back and the game begins immediately.  The quarterback must be rotated until everyone has had a chance to be quarterback.  Anyone may tag the person with the ball.  

Upon scoring, the games begin with a kick or throw-off by the scoring team.  Interceptions are allowed and the team catching the ball starts at the place they intercepted it and it is from there that they get their four downs.  If a team does not score in four downs the ball is kicked or thrown off to the other team.  Encourage 4 short passes.

In addition to the 4 downs to speed things up you may give the teams a time limit as well.  that tends to quicken things up.  Give points for sportsmanship or take away for lack of.

Concerns: Keep teams small to encourage lots of participation.
This idea is from:

 

Flicker Ball – Football or Hi-Li or Basketball


Flicker Ball – Football or Hi-Li or Basketball

State Standard: 1 & 3

EquipmentOne football, jerseys Grade: 3+
Purpose of Event: Passing, Catching, Football skills
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description:

Objective: to get the ball into the end zone  (4 teams, 2 half court games)
I pick two kids to rock/paper/scissors to see who gets to start with the ball; the winner picks offense or defense; loser picks side
When holding the ball, you may run (or dribble) until tagged, unless you receive the ball by a turned over, then you can not run
You may not block the thrower
You may block the receiver
If you intercept the pass (catch it in the air)  you may run (or dribble) until tagged
If the pass is dropped , it is a turnover at the spot the ball was dropped
If a team scores, it is handed to the other team they may not run with the ball, until they have completed one pass
If the ball is attempted to be intercepted but the receiver still catches the ball, it is not considered a turn over, play continues

Variations:
-Have boys pass to girls and girls pass to boys, require 3 passes before a score, have 5 people touch the ball before a score,  Have them play other teams every 3-4 minutes switch.

Basketball Style: rule as above, but shooting hoops instead of getting ball to end zone. Can chest or bounce pass.  Once tagged, can continue to dribble (for older students picking up dribble could result in a turn over) If a shot is missed it is a turn over, no rebounding.

Concerns: Touch only or use flags (football style)
This idea is from:

 

3 Person Continuous Football


3 Person Continuous Football

State Standard: 1, 2, & 3

Equipment: Football or rag foot ball for each group of 3 Grade: 3+
Purpose of Event: Throwing, Catching, Running, Adding, throw a football at a moving target
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description:

Cover correct throwing form, catching. and snapping prior to playing.

Line up the groups of 3 across one end of the gym.  (I use the end-line of the basketball court so that we can run and throw farther.)  In each groups one person starts as the Quarter Back (QB), one as the Receiver (R), and one as the Center (C).

The Center starts with the ball and snaps the ball to the Quarter Back (that is standing about 3-4 feet behind the Center) as soon as the Quarter Back says “HUT”.  At this command, the Receiver runs straight out in front of the group.  The Quarter Back then throws the Receiver the ball.   I have my field divided into 3 zones.  The closest zone worth 1 point, the next worth 2 points and the zone farthest away is worth 3 points.  The Quarter Back and Receiver should decide which zone the Receiver should run to.  Each time the Receiver catches the ball it is worth “X” points, depending on which zone the ball is caught in.  I sometimes give points for touching the ball, even if they don’t catch it, so it will encourage them to go after the ball.  

After the Receiver has they ball they RUN it back to the group and the Receiver becomes the new Center, the Center moves to Quarter Back and the Quarter Back becomes the new Receiver.  Play continues until one team has reach the point goal.  

Goals can be point totals of: 5, 15, 21, what ever works for your class.  Or, keep adding points and if the ball is not caught, loss your points!  Or add points the whole time, and add all of the groups grand total together at the end.

Concerns: Have the Receiver run straight out and back so that they don’t run into anyone, and Run the ball back to the team, don’t throw it.
This idea is from:

 

Scooter Football

PE_Wordle


 Scooter Football 

State Standard: 1, 3

Equipment: One scooter per player, 4 cones, One Nerf Football, gym tape, Colored Jersey’s, & Music Grade: 3-5
Purpose of Event: Manipulation, Control, Team Play, Throwing, and Catching
Time: 15-20 minutes
Organization: Form two equal teams with each team starting in its half of the gym.  Students should be sitting on their scooters with one team having the football.  Use two cones, spaced 10 feet apart, to mark out the touchdown area at each end of the gym along floor tape.

Scooter Football:

  1. The object of the game is for each team to score touchdowns by passing the football to their teammates in the touchdown area.
  2. On the signal the team with the football begins by throwing the ball to their teammates while on their scooters making their way towards the opponents end zone.
  3. Each touchdown is worth 7 points. Once a team scores the other team gains possession of the ball at their own end zone.
  4.  I play girls vs girls from each team for about 2-3 minutes and then the boys from each team come in a play against one another for the same amount of time. **Note: I hardly (if ever) separate boys & girls, but in this particular game I find with my students I gain more participation (opportunity to throw and catch the football)  from all students. I do explain to the students why I do this to check for understanding.**

Rules:

  1. Student with the football are NOT allowed to move their scooter. Once they have made a successful pass to their teammate they are allowed to move their scooter again.
  2. Turnovers take place whenever the ball makes contact with the floor or a player from the opposing team makes an interception.
  3. No “puppy guarding”. In other words students can try and block the opposing team from trying to throw the ball, but they are NOT allowed to stay in the same spot (need to keep moving).
Concerns: NO Rough Play, Students running into each other with scooters, & watch for fingers being rolled over with scooter.
This idea is from: I have seen a version of this from several teachers.

Mat Football

PE_Wordle


 Mat Football 

State Standard: 1, 3

Equipment: 2 Mats, Floor Tape, several footballs, jersey’s, & Music Grade: 2-5
Purpose of Event: Work on Overhand Throwing (Football Throw) and Accuracy.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Description: Students are on two teams. Setup two mats on end. These will represent the end-zones. Students job is to overhand throw the footballs into the mats to score a touchdown. I play it for 2-3 minutes (quarters). After the time is up Students count how many footballs made it into the opponents mats (circles). For older Students 4th and 5th grade move their line back (each quarter) a line I mark on the floor that makes it harder to throw the ball in the circled mats (further away).

**After each quarter (with 4th and 5th grade students) I move the throwing line back. Longer throw harder to score.**

Concerns: Make sure students are NOT crossing the line to the opponents side and sharing the equipment with their teammates.
This idea is from: I have seen a version of this from several teachers, but I implemented the quarter options.

 


 

Softball-Football


Softball-Football
 

State Standard: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Equipment:  Bases, 1 football or Rag Football
Grade: 3+
Purpose of Event: Throwing Skills and Running
Time: 15+ minutes
Description: 

Played like regular softball/baseball, but instead of batting, the pitcher throws a football to the batter, the batter catches the ball and throws it anywhere in the field.  After throwing, the batter runs to first base, and/or advances on to other bases.

Field players try and catch the pass.  If they do, it is two points for the fielding team.  The batter/runner is NOT out if the ball is caught. The runner could get out if they throw or run the football to the base the runner is going to, as in softball/baseball.  To encourage best throws from the batter, they also get ONE point if the ball is caught.  Runners also earn points/runs by advancing to all of the bases, and when they touch home plate, they get a point/run for their team.

Variations:  Allow fielder to tag a runner while they are advancing to the next base.  

OR: Allow the field players to throw the ball at the runner (use rag balls) if the runner catches the ball, the runner gets the point, and can throw the ball again from where they are at when they catch the ball.  The “re-throw” would score the same way for the fielding team, assuming the fielding team catches the “re-throw”.  If the runner touches the throw from the fielder, but does not catch it, they are out, and do not score any points.

When I play with Hi-Li Scoops, all of the throwing, catching, “batting” is done with the scoops.  I don’t have a pitcher.

Concerns: Use a ball that is safe/soft.  I don’t allow sliding, or “over-running” on first ball.  
This idea is from:

Football Downs


Football Downs

State Standard: 1 & 3

Equipment: 1 Football for each group of 3, 3 Cones for each group, and a bean bag for each group
Grade: 4+
Purpose of Event: Passing, Catching, Team Work
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description:

Divide class into groups of 3 (quarterback, receiver, and defender).  Each group will need two on offense and one of defense.  Set out three cones, each 10 yards apart (10 yards=30 feet = half the volleyball court)  Starting at the first cone,  have the offense place the ball on a bean bag which represents the line of scrimmage.  From there, the offense runs their play that they made up with the receiver running to an open space.  The quarter back throws the ball to the receiver once they are in an open space.  If caught the receiver places the ball at the spot where they caught the ball.  They now move the bean bag up to where the receiver caught the ball.  If the bean bag is past the first cone on the field, they get another first down or four more tries.  If the bean bag is not to the first cone, it becomes second down and so on.

If the pass is not caught, the bean bag doesn’t get to be moved up and the ball comes back to the line of scrimmage  for the next down, or try from the same place.  I explain to the students that they get four downs (or tries) to get the ball to the next cone. If the Defense intercepts the ball, the Offense gets the ball back, but it counts towards one of their downs/tries.

If they do not get the ball to the next cone by completing the passes in four tries or if the defender intercepts the ball, the defender and one offensive players then become the offense and start from the first cone again.  Have children rotate positions so that everyone gets to play all three positions.  (See Three Person Continuous Football)  A touch down is scored if the offense moves the ball past the last of the three cones.

Concerns: Spread the students out, safe throws.
This idea is from: This idea is from: www.pecentral.com Natalie Ross, Westbrook, MN.