A Quick Game for All Ages – Ball On Racquet Tag

Most schools seem to have some tennis racquets (even if they are old, beaten up relics) floating around the PE store-room. Here’s a great excuse to dust them off and get them in the kids hands.

Ball On Racquet Tag

1. Mark out a space approximately the size of half a tennis court.
2. Give out 1 racquet per child, or one racquet to be shared amongst up to 4 players.
3. Each player (or team) needs a ball.
4. Players must stand inside the marked area with the ball on the racquet (if the kids are older then they should balance the ball on the strings. The younger folk can place the ball in the ‘V’ on the racquet that exists between the head and the racquet handle.
5. When you say so the kids begin to walk around the marked area and while keeping the ball balanced on their racquet try to knock the ball of other people’s racquets.
6. a) The last person with a ball on their racquet wins or b) If playing in teams when player one has the ball knocked off they are replaced by player 2 (a tag team event). The last team with a player still in wins.

NB: Players are not to use their hands or their body to hold the ball on the strings.

Variations

 As you know by now, we love games that can be used for multiple sports. Try the same basic ‘Ball on Racquet Tag’ principle for the following sports.

1. Basketball – Players dribble a ball and must attempt to knock another players ball out of a medium sized marked area (players are not allowed to stop dribbling).
2. Soccer – Players dribble a ball but try to kick opposition balls out of a marked square (no stopping on holding the ball under the foot is allowed).
3. If you don’t have enough or any racquets, they can balance the ball on the back of their hand (not easy – for littlies, use a beanbag).

This is one of those goodies to get everyone started or to finish with as a reward. Add your own twist and enjoy!!