A classic gym game in recent years, this version has been gaining a lot of momentum in recent years. There are so many different variations, so if you catch one, let me know!

Start it off by dividing the gym into two sections with pylons (if you have lines, I am jealous), place the dodgeballs either in the very centre, or between the pylons. Place one-three benches on either side of the gym of about 3 metres from the back walls. 

Divide the group into 2 teams, each team gets a side of the gym. Place all the dodgeballs inside the hula-hoop in the centre of the gym. Players sit on the bench until the you say “Go”. Then they must race to get the dodgeballs and they throw the dodgeballs and try to hit players on the other team. If they hit a player that player then goes and stands on the opposite team’s bench. They can only get off the bench if they catch a ball from their team while being on the bench. Staff can call “Jailbreak” at any time to free the players from the benches.

If any player gets hit in the head with a ball the person that hit them goes to the other team’s bench and must catch a ball to get free. 

The game goes until there is a winning team. 

Rules/Variations/Challenges 

·      Kids cannot throw the ball until they tap the ball and their hand on the wall of the gym behind their bench.

·      Kids can use balls as shields

·      Kids can only hold one ball at a time

·      If more than 2 people see a hit with a ball it counts

·      If one team sinks a dodgeball into the basketball hoop, they free the whole bench.

· Use a special-coloured ball, and if it is caught by a person on the bench the whole team goes free. 

Reverse It!

Another way to start the game is to have all the kids start on the opposite team’s bench and select 2 or 3 kids to start on their actual side tossing dodgeballs to the kids on the bench. 

The goal then changes to the first team to free their entire team from the bench. 

The if you get hit rule still applies, so if you get hit while you are tossing dodgeballs to free your teammates you must go to the bench. This makes the game more complex and more of a challenge to win.