One soft ball and a few markers are enough for keep-away, circle catch, wall ball and a throw-and-run batting game, none of which needs bats, goals or special courts. Use a soft ball, aim at the body below the shoulders and never at the head, and keep teams small so everyone touches the ball. Choose games by the number of players and the space you have.
Ball games that need only a handmade ball and ground markers, matched to group size, with the rules that keep them safe.
One Ball, Many Games
- Circle catch. Players stand in a circle and throw across it; anyone who drops the ball does a small forfeit or steps back one pace. Works for a small or large group, young and old.
- Keep-away (monkey in the middle). Two or three players pass the ball; one or two in the middle try to intercept. Needs at least four players.
- Wall ball. Throw against a wall; the next player must catch it after one bounce. Needs a wall.
- Hand-batting game. A thrower tosses; the batter strikes the ball with an open hand and runs to a marker and back before a fielder returns it. Resembles rounders-type games, which I do not trace to a source.
- Dodge games. A thrower aims at runners’ bodies below the waist; see below for the head rule.
- Keep-it-up. The group keeps a ball in the air by hand; a cooperative game that counts touches.
Safety Rules For Every Ball Game
- The ball is soft. A stuffed ball, not a hard-wrapped or stone-centred ball; see Making Balls from Available Materials.
- No throws at the head. Aim below the shoulders (below the waist in dodge games).
- No bats, sticks or hard objects in a game with a crowd.
- A boundary that keeps play away from hazards and spectators.
- Fingers. A hard-thrown ball jams fingers; keep throws gentle with children.
What You Need
- A soft ball — see the balls article
- Ground markers — stones, sticks, scratched lines
- A space that is flat and clear
- A rule-caller who settles disputes quickly
Method: Starting With Two Games
Step 1: Begin with circle catch to find out who can throw and catch and to warm up.
Step 2: Move to keep-away, with teams of three or four.
Step 3: Add a scoring game such as the hand-batting game when the group is comfortable.
Step 4: Rotate positions so the fielders get to bat and the batters to field.
Common Mistakes
- A hard ball. One that bounces lively and hurts is too hard for a crowd.
- Too many on the field. Waiting turns people into spectators; split into groups.
- A harsh scoring culture. Keep it friendly.
What’s Next
- Learn next: Making Balls from Available Materials — the equipment itself
- Combine with: Adapted Team Games — larger organised versions