This is about a 6-7 lesson unit. As with all of our units we spend a bit of time at the beginning of class going over the basic skill we will be covering that day. For example the "pull and push" for the throw. We then play the game and when kids are struggling we can teach during the game. This seems to work well, as the kids who "get it" are busy playing and the kids who need more skill development are getting specific feedback during the activity.

Round Up

Ages - K-6

Equipment - 10-12 Sticks, as many tennis balls as you have, hula hoops.

Dump all of the balls in the middle of the room. Divide the class into teams of 2-4. (roughly 10-12 teams) Circle the teams around the outside of the room with each team having a hula hoop to collect balls in. On the signal "go" each team sends a kid "relay style" to the center of the room to "round up" (scoop) a ball, and return it to the hula hoop. As kid returns to the team, next kid takes the stick and goes to get a ball.

Option 1. Play until all balls are gone and see which team has the most.

Option 2. Time the class to see how long it takes to "round up" all of the balls. Post the time and allow other classes to shoot for the time.

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Space Invaders -

Ages - K-6

Equipment - Lacrosse Sticks, bowling pins, and lots of tennis balls. We typically will have 5-10 teams at a time, and one stick per team is sufficient.

Line the teams up at one end of the gym, this could be played across the gym the short way as well, you will need to create a throwing line though. Dump all of the balls ( we have about 100-125) on the same side of the throwing line as the kids. On the signal "go" the first person in line runs with the stick to the large pile of balls and "scoops" a ball and then proceeds to the throwing line. They throw at the bowling pins and try to knock them over. The pins are set up across the whole end of the gym. I use 30 at a time. I vary the distances from the throwing line and use chairs, tables and mats to create different levels for the pins.

After you have thrown you can re-scoop your ball if it comes back to you or if it does not you can just run back and give the next person the stick.

The object is to see how long it takes the entire class to knock over all of the pins. I then post the class records for each grade.

A simple variation is to see how many pins the class can knock over in a certain amount of time.

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Madagascar or Toss Across Lacrosse

Equipment: Lacrosse sticks 4-6, tennis size, mats, two buckets

Game Play: Two teams, one on each side of the gym. Team one (lions) sends two members onto the other side of the gym to stand on the islands (mats) with Lacrosse sticks. Team 2 (monkeys) does the same. All of the fruit (balls) are dumped in the middle. On the signal “go” the two teams try to throw the fruit to their players on the islands. If one of the players on the island catches the ball or scoops it up without leaving the mat they get to run to their bucket and deposit their fruit. Play for a few minutes then count the fruit in each bucket, switch the “catchers” and start again.

Options:

· If the students are older or more capable with their sticks, they can be required to catch the balls that are thrown, or even throw with sticks as well.

· If the students are not yet ready for the sticks, this game can be played as a simple throwing and catching game.

Diagram

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Tic Lax Toe

Ages – K – 6

Equipment – 1 Stick and a ball/ beanbag for each group of 3 kids, a tic tac toe board and markers

Set up – Two teams line up next to each other, 10 -15 feet in front of each team is a catching spot. The two teams share a tic tac toe board and each team has it’s own set of markers (I use bean bags)

Game Play – On the signal go the first player from each team runs to the catching spot with the lacrosse stick in hand. The second player in each line tosses the ball or beanbag to them. If they catch it with the stick, and can successfully cradle it back to the line they get to place a marker. If they miss they must scoop it up and hurry back for the next person. The first team to get three in a row wins. Shake hands and play again.

Variations –

1. As one team wins, have them back their catching spot up, or have the toss made with a stick as well.

2. Each team could have a tic tac toe board, and you could play blackout (you have to get 9 catches to win)

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STAR WARS

Equipment:

A lacrosse stick for each student.
A lot of soft balls that can be thrown with lacrosse sticks. (Gator skin baseball size)
Three accordion mats for each team.
Three bowling pins for each team.

Set Up

Divide the class into two teams. Each team should set the three mats up on their side so they are standing, in separate places (see diagram). Each mat should have a bowling pin set up behind it, to hide it from the other team. There should also be a "jail area" for each team, which can be designated by a mat or a taped off area.

Game Play

Each team tries to run onto the other teams side and knock down the bowling pins. When you are on the other team's side instead of tagging you they throw balls at you. If you get hit with a ball you are out and have to go to jail.

You can get out of jail by catching a ball that is thrown from one of your teammates who is back on your side.

You can get out of jail by having a teammate run across to you without getting hit and grab your hand, and they take you back.

There can be "goalies" who try to protect the pins, "attackers" who try to knock the pins down and "middies" that defend, attack and rescue. When all three pins are down the game is over and they should be reset and the game should start over.