People of all ages can play benchball.Two teams are trying to throw dodgeballs to their goalies on opposite sides of a gym or courtyard.Benchball is easy if you know how to set it up.
Step 1: There are benches on either side of the gym.
The benches need to be sturdy so that multiple people can stand on them at the same time.A person can throw a dodgeball from the middle of the gym or court to the person on the bench if the benches are close enough.If you don't have a bench to use, you can use chalk or tape to draw long rectangular squares for people to stand on.
Step 2: If you divide the players into 2 teams, you can have each team choose a goalie.
The person who stands on the bench at the start of the game is the goalie.A good goalie doesn't have to have certain qualities, but anyone who can throw well may benefit from being the first person on their team's bench.If you have different colored jerseys, give them to your teammates so they feel part of the team.
Step 3: The dodgeballs should be positioned in the middle or across the court.
They can be placed on the dividing line in the middle of the gym and both teams can run to them.You could distribute the balls evenly to the two teams so they don't run at each other.For each team, aim to provide around 4 or 5 dodgeballs.Soft dodgeballs will not hurt any players if they are hit by one.
Step 4: The players should run to pick up the dodgeballs.
If you distribute dodgeballs ahead of time, you can start the game by simply saying "go."
Step 5: The players should try to throw the balls to the goalie at the same time.
The goal of the game is for the other team to not catch or intercept the balls.Adding different rules to this aspect of the game will make it more interesting.It is possible to require the players on each team to pass the ball a certain number of times before throwing it to the goalie.The players have to think about where they want the ball to land on the fifth pass.The players are not allowed to cross the middle line to throw the ball to the goalie.
Step 6: The players who throw the ball to the goalie should not be on the bench.
The player who threw the ball goes to the bench when the goalie catches a ball.They have to throw their balls to the new goalie.The original goalie needs to hold the ball until the game is over.
Step 7: A goalie who drops a ball should be taken off the bench.
They have to try and get back on the bench by throwing the ball to the original goalie.The original goalie tries to catch the new ball by putting the ball down.
Step 8: End the game when the entire team is on the bench.
The team has won the game once this happens.New goalies can start a new round.