Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge | Korewhiti

Time

10 minutes

Skill focus

Catching

Throwing

Complexity

Level 3

Group size

Small, Large & at Home

Playing in pairs or small teams, Smashies move, throw and catch across a tic tac toe grid to get three squares in a line. You’ve got to think and move quickly!

Full Colour PDF

Easy Print PDF

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Setup, Equipment & Instructions

Set up a line 10 paces away from the edge of the 9 square “box” which is the throwing line.
Set up a line 5 paces from the edge of the box either off to the side, or on the opposite side, which is the “catchers” line.
One Smashie partner throws or lobs the ball towards the box, with their team-mate running into the box to try to catch the ball.
If the ball is caught before it bounces, then the Smashie team can claim the square in which the catch is made, placing their coloured cone in the square.
The other Smashie team then attempts their first throw and catch, with turns alternating between the teams.
The goal is to create a line of three squares in a row – noughts and crosses

Other details

What other skills could be involved?

Movement – Running
Walking
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.

Mix it Up

- Have the catcher waiting in the square which they wish to try and claim.

- Utilise bean bags instead of a ball.

- Bring the throwing line closer.

+ Vary the start position of the catchers so they have to move from a different side or even from where the throw is made (so that they take an over the shoulder catch).

+ Move the throwing line further away.

+ Introduce hitting a ball from the throwing line.

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 – Catch with one hand and the Smashie team gets an Extra Life (they can take the immediate next turn).

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

Arena Mode – Make the squares smaller or bigger as the game progresses.