Got it! circle

What you need

Players

4 to 16 players

Time

4 to 6 min

Level

Beginner

Equipment

Balls

Ball fed by

The players

Space

A full court

Setup

1. Groups of 3 or 4, holding hands in a circle, on one side of the net.
2. A tosser (a player or the coach) on the other side with a few balls.
3. Waiting groups stand behind the end line and swap in after five balls.

How it runs

A warm-up game for mixed groups. Three or four players hold hands in a circle on one side of the net. A tosser on the other side yells "Free!" and throws a high ball over. The circle has to move together, without letting go, so the ball lands inside it, and then everyone yells "Got it!". The next group steps in after five balls. Mix experienced and new players in each circle so they have to talk to move as one.

Time and reps: 5 balls per group, then the next group goes; 2 or 3 turns each.

Coaching points

• Everyone watches the ball the whole time, not their feet.
• Whoever sees where it is going first says which way to move.
• Small, quick steps so nobody gets pulled off their feet.
• Yell "Got it!" together as the ball lands inside the circle.

Ways to change it

• Groups of two holding hands, for more space to move.
• One player may let go with one hand to catch the ball; everyone else stays linked.
• Score a point for every ball that lands inside; first group to five wins.

Make it easier or harder

Make it easier

• Toss very high and close to the circle so there is lots of time.

Make it harder

• Add a fifth player to the circle, toss lower and farther away, and only the newest player in the group may talk.