MAYHEM
A throwing and catching game with tons of repetitions
Throughout our early throwing and catching unit, we incorporate a number of individual and partner drills and skills with a focus on proper rolling, underhand and overhand throwing, and catching fundamentals. Later we’ll progress to bigger, and more dynamic group games. MAYHEM is game that works for First Grade – Sixth Grade students. It’s a face paced, exciting game incorporating throwing and catching various pieces of equipment including yarn balls, discs, small footballs, large footballs, foam balls, foam cylinders, gator skin balls, and anything else in the PE closet that is safe to use.
Video of MAYHEM below
Set up:
Enter your PE closet and choose any equipment that is safe to throw and catch. The more equipment and the bigger variety the better.
For older students assign a point value to each piece of equipment depending on the degree of difficulty to throw and catch. Post the point value for students to see as they play. For First and Second Grades I don’t use the point system. Instead, I time the class to see how long it takes them to clear all the equipment, then play a second round to see if they can beat their record.
Find a receptacle to hold all the equipment. We divide it all into three large plastic pools.
Place large hoops around the perimeter of the pool. This is where students store any piece of equipment they successfully catch. The distance from the pool depends on the grade and/or skill level.
How to play:
Divide students into groups of three.
Groups report to a hoop.
The first person runs to the center and chooses an item. From there, that student underhand or overhand throws it to the second person who must catch the item with one foot in the hoop.
If caught the item is placed in the hoop.The person who caught the item then runs to the center and the third person in the group now awaits the throw. If the item dropped, it is brought back to the pool by the person who didn’t catch it, and he/she throws it to the third person.
Continue until the center is cleared of all equipment.
Time to add up the scores.Third-Sixth Grade students sit around the hoop and work together to add up their point total.
Return the equipment to the center to play a second round. Groups attempt to beat their previous score.
Our students enjoy a little MAYHEM during PE class. I hope your do as well!