Family Fitness Magazine

A well known and easy to play group skill game suitable for 4 plus

How Many Players: enough for two teams at least 6 per team
Aim of the Game: To run as many “rounds” as possible per team before all players are out.
How to Play: Split the group into two teams and decide which team bats first and which team will field. Batting team decide the order of who is to play whilst the fielding team choose bowler, backstop, close fielders to cover the four posts and long fielders to cover the rest of the field/play zone. Decide when the teams will swap over. For example after all the players are out or after 5 minutes of play. Someone needs ot keep score of rounders and aware of time.
One batter goes first. The bowler must throw a ball between knee and shoulder height toward the bat. The batter recieves up to 3 good balls (no balls dont count) and attempts to hit the ball. Once the ball is hit, the batter drops their bat and runs for the first corner/post. The batter can stop at any of the 4 posts if the ball is coming back into play. Once the batter has completed a circuit around all 4 posts the team have scored one rounder. If one of the fielders touches a post that the batter still has to run to whilst the batter is running s/he is out. If the batter is at a post then s/he is safe. Once the first batter has stopped running and the bowler has the ball again, the next player steps up to the batting mark, picks up the bat and has their turn. The second batter can not out run the batter already playing, they must wait until the next post is clear before they can move on. if they do outrun their team mate then their team mate is out. Continue play like this until it is time to swap as decided earlier.
Equipment Needed: A rounders or tennis ball. A rounder bat or cricket bat. Posts or jumpers to mark the 4 corners and a mark/mat or stick to indicate where the bowler and batter play from.
Where to Play: In a good sized space clear of any obstacles eg park, field Decide on a boundary for the game before starting.
Benefits of this game: All team games help children develop turn taking, sharing and rule following as well as encouraging other team members. Additionally this game combines slow and fast movements plus intervals of rest as well as motor skills involved with acurate throwing and batting.
Play safe: Give the batter plenty of room clear of other players. Encourage bowler and fielders to aim the ball at the bat or hands (not faces) and all players to be aware of the moving targets – balls and people. Spatial awareness and knowledge of the rules will increase safety of the game.
Develop skills Younger children may find the skills of ball thoriwng, catching and batting a challenge to begin with. Practice before the game passing the ball from shorter lengths, increasing the distance as their skill develops. Make it fun by creating targets such as hoops or chalk marks on walls/pavement to aim at. Encourage children to use their eyes to follow the ball and bring the ball fromhands towards chest. hen throwing “follow” the ball with the arm as this will create a more acurate throw. Practice passing the ball underarm and overam.