Rings of Fire

Dodgeball Games

EQUIPMENT

10 short cones

24 fuzzy balls

STORYLINE
Today we are playing The Ring of Fire. The objective of the game is to try to be the last one standing outside the ring of fire.  Good luck!

INSTRUCTIONS

  • One player is selected to be the “thrower.”  The thrower is stationed inside the center “ring of fire.” 
  • All other players are “runners” and move around the outside of the circle and try to avoid getting hit by the thrower. 
  • At the word “GO!” the thrower will toss rings at the players outside the ring of fire. Every time a player is hit, they must join the throwing team inside the circle. 
  • If the ball hits a player above the shoulders, it does not count
  • If the ball hits the ground first before hitting a player, it does not count
  • If a player steps out of bounds, they automatically become a thrower
  • The running players may go anywhere outside of the circle on the field
  • The runners may not enter the ring of fire
  • As balls are thrown out of the ring of fire, the runners must roll them back to the thrower
  • Every time three new throwers are added to the ring of fire, the circle of cones should get slightly larger to accommodate the group
  • A round ends when one runner is left.
 

Game 1: Play as indicated above. The teacher can help the thrower.
Game 2: Add another thrower.
Game 3: Allow runners to protect themselves by catching fuzzy balls thrown at them.
Role: Have 1-2 students be “ring masters” in charge of gathering and returning rings to the ring of fire
Variation: Make the circle larger if it is too easy for the throwers to get all of the runners out
Variation: Consider adding “kaboomies.” Kaboomies are large volleyballs that the throwers roll towards runners. If a kaboomie hits a runner, they become a thrower.
Variation: Consider allowing running players to protect themselves by catching balls thrown at them

 

TEACHING TIPS

  • Approach: Keep games fairly short (3-4 minutes) so that runners are only pacing for medium distance.
  • Student Role: Have a student be a ball master to throw fuzzy balls back to the thrower.