Build a Bridge | Hanga Te Piriti

Time

10 minutes

Skill focus

Catching

Throwing

Complexity

Level 2

Group size

Small, Large & at Home

Playing in pairs, Smashies throw and catch a ball – stepping further apart with each successful catch, or closer together with a dropped catch. Each successful catch is building a bridge, who can build the longest bridge?

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Setup, Equipment & Instructions

Smashies throw the ball to their partner to make a catch.
The partner returns the ball back to the first Smashie to make their catch.
If each catch is completed the Smashies take a step back – with the length of the step decided by the Smashie.
Each pair chooses their starting point and distance apart.
Each step back the Smashies take builds a longer bridge.
If either Smashie drops the ball they must move a step closer to each other (reducing the size of the bridge).
Each Smashie has a cone which they move as they step, this will illustrate the length of their bridge.

Other details

What other skills could be involved?

Movement – Running
Perception Skills

Think Quick – what to look out for…

Encourage Smashies to think about a bucket shape with their hands when catching.
Encourage Smashies to think where the ball is travelling to and move to take the catch.
Encourage Smashies to move from underarm to overarm throwing (allow this to happen naturally).

Mix it Up

- Roll the ball rather than throw, and step back as a “clean” stop is made.

- Progress to catching a bounce pass (one bounce and catch).

+ Introduce one-handed catching.

+ Introduce a time limit – see who can create the longest bridge in a set time, or self-challenge to extend the bridge from the previous attempt.

Values

Honesty | Pono - How could the Smashies be honest when they play this game?

Support | Tautoko - In what ways can Smashies support their partner or teammates when playing?

Cooperation | Mahi tahi - How could Smashies work together when they play?

Smash it Up

Bring video game elements to life!

Mission – Set a challenge of a total number of catches for each pair. Once that number is reached, the pair receive an Extra Life (don’t need to move closer on a dropped ball).

Boss Battle – Smashies vs Activators / Coaches / Teachers / Whānau.

Arena Mode – Invisible Forcefield – with each step back and each throw, the ball has to get progressively higher to travel over the growing invisible forcefield.