At a glance
- Pairs, each player on a disc 2 m from their partner, facing them. One soft ball or beanbag for each pair.
- Both stand on one leg. Throw underarm to your partner and catch without putting your lifted foot down.
- Count your catches in a row as a pair. If a foot touches down, say reset and start the count again.
- Every 45 seconds, call swap legs. Change pairs each round.
- Progress 1: Bounce pass instead of a throw, so the ball is lower and harder to catch on one leg.
- Progress 2: Aim each throw a step to your partner's left or right, so they have to reach without putting the foot down.
If it's not working: Let the toes of the lifted foot touch the ground lightly.
- players
- throw or roll
- 1in this order
Three of the pairs, one ball each. Each child stands on their own disc, facing their partner, both on one leg at the same time. One throws the soft ball underarm, the other catches it without putting the lifted foot down, and they count the catches in a row together. The discs are about 2 m apart in real life, drawn further apart here so the throw shows.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks
Set up
- Put pairs of discs about 2 m apart (closer for 2021s), spread across the area.
- Each child stands on a disc facing their partner.
- Mix pairs every round so nobody stays in the same pair.
8 to 12 children in pairs, an area about 20 m by 15 m.
How to play
- Both partners stand on one leg at the same time.
- They throw the soft ball underarm to each other and catch it without putting the lifted foot down.
- Count catches in a row as a pair. If a foot touches down, the pair says reset and starts a new count.
- Every 45 seconds, call swap legs.
- New rounds: Statue catch (catch and hold still for a count of two), Low tree (catch while crouching on one leg), Wobbly tree (gently swing your arms before each throw).
Keeping everyone moving
Both partners balance, throw and catch at once. Nobody watches.
Make it easier
- Let the toes of the lifted foot touch the ground lightly.
- Move the discs closer, or roll the ball instead of throwing.
Make it harder, step by step
- Throw a bounce pass instead, so the ball is lower and harder to catch on one leg.
- Aim each throw a step to your partner's left or right, so they have to reach for it without putting the lifted foot down.
Three things to say
- Eyes on the ball, soft hands that give as they catch.
- Standing knee slightly bent.
- Arms used for balance between throws.
Words that work: "Brave to try the other hand!", "You two lifted each other, great counting.", "Wobbled and kept going, that is hard work."
Colts habit
Lifting each other through a shared count.
Both feet
Every round is done on both standing legs.
Heads up
Say your partner's name before each throw.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- Beanbags, 1 m apart, count to 3.
- 2018 to 2019
- Soft balls, 2 m apart, swap throwing hand.
A young leader can run this one, with an adult coach beside them.
Safety: Soft balls or beanbags only, thrown underarm to chest height, never at faces. Keep pairs spaced so a wobble does not collide with another pair.
Keeping score: Each pair notes their best catch streak on each leg and beats it next week with any partner. There are no pair rankings.