Australian Kickball

Australian Kickball

Outdoor games that children of a mixed age range can play are important for Montessori elementary classes.  Playing games together is one way that communities are built and strengthened.  

From time to time in the life of an elementary class there are occasions when it can be clear to the Guide that the children really need some time outside to stretch their legs and to burn off some energy.  It may not be an adult-scheduled time for a PE session, but the children are exhibiting all of the signs that indicate a need for some physical activity.

My approach here was to recognize that the work period was not really very productive at such a time.  There was a mixture of inordinate amounts of movement, minimal focus and concentration, and voices tended to be significantly louder than usual.  

There really wasn't a "Work Cycle" in progress.  

I'd wait a little, to ensure that this was not a case of "false fatigue".  If the situation did not improve, however, I'd call a halt to inside work, and we'd all go outside for half an hour or so and play a game.  Invariably when we came inside, the children settled down and engaged in deeper and more productive activities.

Before you take this step, make certain that local regulations etc. do not forbid you as the classroom teacher to take the class outside for a small game.  In some regions, only a qualified PE teacher may do so, and if this is the case in your location, then the regulations should be followed.  (Perhaps you could coordinate with the School's resident PE teacher, and have that person take the lead.)

Australian Kickball is one of the games that we played together, as a 6-9, 9-12, or 6-12 class.  (Sometimes extended day children would also join in.)  It is a team game that I learned when began my career as a public school teacher in Australia.  The Guide is the “pitcher” and so pitches can be varied according to the skills of the receiver. 

When the adult controls the ball in any game, there is more possibility for a wide range of ages to take part with enjoyment and with success, because the Guide can “pitch” with varying degrees of difficulty, according to the skills of each child.

Preparation

• The playing area should be large – Limits should be approximately the distance that the large (~8 inch diameter) soft play ball can be kicked before bouncing.
• A large trash can or cardboard crate/box ~2 feet wide and ~3 feet high is home base.
• A cone is set up 10-15+ feet away (distance according to the age of children playing – If a large age range, set it for the middle age group – There are ways to compensate for smaller and larger children.)
• The Guide marks a line 10-15+ feet away from home base.  He/she may only pitch when behind this line.
• Select two teams.  One team fields and one team “bats” (“kicks” in this case).
• The “batting team” sits to one side of and behind home base.  They line up in batting order, and must be close enough to make a quick dash to home base, but far enough away so as not to interfere with the “fielding” team.
• One or more members of the fielding team position themselves behind home base, so that missed balls may be quickly intercepted.

Game

• The Guide pitches the ball towards the batter, trying to strike home base.
  The “batter” protects home base, as he/she either kicks the ball, allows it to hit him/her, or allows it to pass by because it has no chance of hitting home base.  (Indicating the Guide should practice pitching?)
• Every time a “batter” kicks or comes into contact with the ball, he/she MUST run around the cone, then back to the home base.  This counts as one run.  (The guide keeps score.)  More than one lap can be made if the batter wishes – Each successfully completed circuit constitutes another “run”.
• Once the ball has been kicked, has bounced off the batter’s body, or has rolled past home base, the fielding team must scramble to stop it, then return it to the pitcher.
• The pitcher may pitch the ball the minute it is in his/her possession and he/she is behind the pitching line.  The pitch may be made even if the batter is running around the cone.  (The batter’s judgment of when to run a second or third time, and when to stay is important here.)
• When the ball hits home base and the present batter is “out”, the next batter in line must run quickly to defend home base.  If the pitcher receives the ball before the new batter arrives, he/she may pitch immediately without waiting, and the new batter may be out before he/she even arrives at home base!  (Kind pitchers delay a little, or pitch badly, when younger batters are playing.  This may need to be done convincingly if older eagle-eyed children are involved.)

Rules

• If the batter successfully kicks the ball, even if the kick does not go far, the batter MUST attempt one run.  (He/she may attempt more than one run if desired.)
• If the ball strikes the batter’s leg/s, this is considered to be a “kick”, and he/she MUST attempt one run (no matter how inconvenient this is.)
• If the ball at any time strikes home base, the batter is out.
• If the ball strikes the batter, or is kicked by the batter, and then strikes home base, the batter is out.
• If the ball is caught before it bounces once, after being kicked or after bouncing off the batter’s body, the batter is out.
• If the ball is kicked, then it strikes one or more objects before hitting the ground for the first time, it may be caught and the batter is “out”.
• If the pitcher catches the ball before it strikes the ground, the batter who kicked it is out.  (The Guide may fumble if appropriate.)
• “Batters” who miss a pitch or a kick, or who elect not to try to kick a particular pitch, may still run if they wish.  A “backstop” child on the fielding team is therefore important.
• Depending upon the playing area, if a kicked ball bounces outside the agreed boundary it scores 4 runs, and the batter need not run.  (This is called a “four”.)
• Depending upon the playing area, if a kicked ball lands outside the agreed boundary before it strikes the ground it scores 6 runs, and the batter need not run.   (This is called a “six”.)

Variations

• A set number of pitches per batter will shorten the length of the game and the waiting period for each batter.
• If this is not instituted and it seems to be impossible to get a particular batter out, the Guide may “retire” that batter.  This may be the official end of that batter’s turn, or he/she may return as a final batter, according the rules established for the class.

Notes

• Just gently roll the ball towards younger children.  They need not even move – Aim for their legs and counsel them to let the ball tap their legs.  This counts as a kick, and the child may then be encouraged to run.
• If the younger child runs slowly, the Guide may “fumble” the ball when it is returned by the fielding team and/or aim badly so that home base is not struck too soon.
• The guide may use fast balls, top spin and side spin to challenge children whose kicking skills are more developed.