Back to Activity Guides : Get the Acrobat Version

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Introduction

Congratulations on your new LaunchBall purchase! This unique ball is great for helping kids develop their eye-hand coordination. Even better, there are countless ways to play with LaunchBall so your students will never become bored.

How To Play LaunchBall

Launching
Caution: The LaunchBall must never be pulled back to any point above the shoulder. Holding the band back above the shoulder poses a risk for injury to the face. The LaunchBall propulsion band is held as shown, right, secured by a bent thumb. Be sure students always release the ball, not the band. Aim LaunchBall by lowering the forward hand.

Playing Area
LaunchBall can be played in a gym, on a handball court or any combination of walls and floor.

Players
LaunchBall is usually played with 2 players, but can be played with up to 4 players.

Basic LaunchBall Games

NOTE FOR ALL GAMES: Games play to 21 points. At some point in play, the LaunchBall must go higher than the receiver's head either on the way to the wall or on the return.

The server launches the LaunchBall against the wall, and the receiver tries to catch it in the air. If the catch is successful, then the catcher becomes the server. If the catch is unsuccessful, it is one point for the server. (Only the serving player scores here.)

The server uses 2 surfaces by launching the LaunchBall against the floor so that it bounces up against the wall and back into the playing area. If the catch is successful, then the catcher becomes the server. If the catch is unsuccessful, it is 2 points for the server.

The server can vary the attack by launching a floater or "lob" into the air to hit the wall first and then the floor. It must be caught on the first bounce. If the catch is successful, then the catcher becomes the server. If the catch is unsuccessful, it is 2 points for the server.

Corner Ball adds another dimension to basic LaunchBall by incorporating a sidewall into the game. The extra surface allows for 3-point plays. The server can launch the ball against the floor on an angle, which will bounce off the front wall on its way to bank off the sidewall. If the catch is successful, then the catcher becomes the server. If the catch is unsuccessful, it is 3 points for the server.

Other Games And Activities

• Catch LaunchBall with 2 hands, one hand, right hand, left hand, etc.
• Catch it by the tail only.
• Catch the tail without moving your feet.
• Make 3 consecutive catches.
• Make a full turn and catch, then add a jump.

• Take one step back after catching your partner's toss (like egg toss).
• Make ten exchanges in 30 seconds.
• Catch your partner's toss a different way each time.
• Play bucketball: Launch the ball high in the air and into a target bucket.
• Catch it after one bounce.
• Draw a target on a wall and launch for scores.
• Set up an empty carton or cans on a balance beam for target launching. Launch from standing, sitting or prone positions and play for points.
• Use your baseball glove and practice catching fly balls.

• Launch it over the goal post from 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards. Have your partner catch it before it hits the ground.
• Send your partner downfield on the run to catch a launched pass.
• Launch and run relay races against another team.
• Use in all isometric exercises and warm-ups.

Individual And Team Sports
Transform any sporting game, i.e., baseball, handball, soccer, football, basketball, water games and more by substituting a LaunchBall for the regulation game ball.