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Introduction

The PoleBall target system adds excitement to many existing activities and serves as the focal point of many new games. No other system on the market offered a large overhead target that could be seen from all over the gym, knocked down, and instantly reset for more action. This innovation offers a large, highly visible target that, when attached to the Big Red Standard, extends from 5 feet up to 8 feet. Even when set at the highest level, the target resets easily with a pull rope. Use one PoleBall to work on throwing skills and two PoleBalls to play several fast-paced and exciting team games.

PoleBall easily attaches to the top of the standard with one bolt. A 16-inch foam disc (target) stands up until hit by any type of projectile. When hit, the target falls down into a horizontal position. Simply give the rope a tug and the disc pops right back into the vertical position.

This target system is perfect for a variety of team games and many skill-development activities. It also works well in conjunction with other target products, adding motivation and fun to those existing games and activities.

Educational Objectives

Teamwork and individual throwing skill improvement are the main goals served by this product. Many of the games involve individuals working together with the ultimate goal of knocking down the target. The PoleBall is also a great target for working on almost any throwing skill. Overhand throwing, underhand throwing, sidearm throwing, or overhead throwing with any type of ball or disc is possible with this unit. Using foam balls, footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, beanbags, flying discs or any throwing object, students work on basic throwing skills or even technical sport-specific skills.

Appropriate Age/Skill Levels

Due to the large striking area and the ease in which the target falls when hit, the PoleBall works for a wide range of ages and skill levels. Simply adjust the distance and height for various capabilities. Set PoleBall low for younger students, or up to eight feet high for older students. Young students might throw from a distance of 5 feet to 15 feet, whereas older students throw from 10 feet to 60 feet away. Very young students use the targets for throwing basics, while older students play sophisticated games like team handball. Therefore, the rating for this unit is K-12.

Safety Considerations

Students should keep hands away from the target while it's in use, to avoid being hit by the target as it falls, to avoid possible finger pinching, and to avoid being hit by thrown objects (balls, beanbags, etc.).

To add another level of safety to these activities, place a 4-feet x 8-feet folding mat on its side, and "bend" it around the standard. Attach the Velcro ends to create a foam wall around the standard. This protects students from possible injury in case they run into the standard.

Games and Activities

Team PoleBall
Divide the class into two equal teams. Place one team on one side of the gym and the other team across from them. The center line divides them, and students cannot cross this line. Place the PoleBall targets near the middle of each team's area, and raise the standards high enough so students cannot block shots. Placement depends on the throwing ability of the students - place targets closer to the center line for young throwers and deeper into playing zones for older students. On the word "go," students throw foam or fleece balls at the targets on the other side of the center line. One point is scored every time a target falls. Targets are immediately reset so they're ready to be knocked down again (no stalling is allowed), and the game does not stop during resetting. Children play until a predetermined score is achieved, or until a time limit is reached.

New-And-Improved Dodge Ball And "Snowball" Fights
Add PoleBall targets to games of dodge ball or "snowball fights" (fleece balls). Simply place them near the back of throwing areas, and use them as "get-back-in" targets. Students who have been hit and eliminated from the game can now reenter the contest when one of their teammates saves them by knocking down the get-back-in target at the other end of the floor. Adjust the game's difficulty by placing the targets closer or further from the center line. Another twist - place PoleBall close to the center line and stipulate that hitting this target gets one person back in the game, or place it as far away as possible (and as high as possible) so that a hit brings all the team's eliminated players back into the game at once!

Pin Down PoleBall
This game uses a combination of bowling pins (standard or foam) and a set of PoleBall targets. Divide the class into two equal teams. Place one team on one side of the gym and the other team across from them. The center line divides them, and students cannot cross this line. Give each team 5 pins and one PoleBall target. Set the pins on a line 20 feet to 30 feet away from the center line, and place the PoleBall target just behind that line. Students then throw foam or fleece balls at the pins, while opposing students defend their pins by standing in front of them and blocking incoming balls. Once a pin is knocked down by a thrown ball, or accidentally knocked over by a defender, it must stay down. However, if a team member hits the PoleBall target that's located on the other side of the center line (behind the other team's pins), the team gets to reset one of the pins they are defending. A team wins when all the opposing team's pins are knocked over.

Another possibility for this game is to have the PoleBall target count the same as the pins. When it goes down, it stays down. In this version, place it far enough back to present a substantial challenge.

Team Handball
Unlike Team PoleBall, this game involves running, teamwork and strategy. It plays like basketball and soccer. Place a PoleBall at each end of the gym, and divide the class into two equal teams. Using one round foam ball or foam football, each team tries to move the ball down the floor and knock down the target. Students may not run forward (travel) with the ball - it must be passed forward from player to player. Lateral or backward movement with the ball is allowed. When the ball is dropped by the offense, it is immediately picked up by the other team, who then moves toward their goal. Students may defend their goal as in basketball. When a shot is taken, whether made or not, the other teams takes over. A goal is worth one point. Play a timed game, or up to a pre-determined number of points.

For a change of pace, incorporate one or more rule changes. For example, allow students to travel for 3 steps when they have the ball; require a minimum of 5 passes before each shot; or use lines or cones to establish "no-throw zones" around the goals and require offensive players to shoot from beyond these zones. And, of course, you can set up 2-point or 3-point lines.

One-Base Diamond Games
Break the class into two teams - a batting team and a fielding team. Set up home plate and first base. The batting team should line up near home plate, safely away from the batter. Place a PoleBall target about 15-20 feet away from home plate (directly off to one side). The pitcher tosses an appropriate foam or plastic ball to the batter, and the batter (using an appropriate bat) hits the ball, runs to first base and then back home (no staying on first base). As the batter is running, the defense fields the ball and throws it to other players near the target (if necessary). A final throw is made at the target, and if the target falls before the runner crosses home plate, the runner is out. But if the runner crosses home plate first, a run is scored. When the defense misses the target, they may keep trying to knock it down until the runner crosses the plate. Have the defense and offense change places after three outs, or after the entire offense has batted.

Here are some variations of this game:

• Require the defense to make throws from behind a 15-foot line, making it harder to get the runner out.
• Use an 8-1/2" foam ball and play One-Base Kickball using the same rules as above.
• Use a flying disc to play One-Base Disc, using the same rules as above.

Relays
Make as many teams as you have targets. Line them up behind a line 10 feet to 25 feet away from their PoleBall target, depending on skill level and age. Using balls, flying discs or beanbags, have each student in line throw at the target. After throwing, the student runs to retrieve the ball, sets up the target if knocked down, and returns the ball to the next thrower in line. The relay continues until all team members have thrown once. One point is awarded for each time the target goes down, and the team with the most points wins.

Here are some variations for relay races:

• Teams continue play until a predetermined number of points is reached.
• Establish a starting line well back of the throwing line. Teams line up at the starting line, and the individual who is "up" must take the ball and run to the throwing line before taking a shot at the target. After picking up the thrown ball, the student runs back to the starting line and hands it to the next player in line, who then runs up to the throwing line, and so on.

Skill Stations

Set up PoleBall targets in a station setting. Practice basic throwing skills using various implements (balls, discs, beanbags, etc.). Use the same set up to work on sport-specific skills such as: baseball or softball pitching, volleyball serving and bumping, football passing, basketball passing, soccer throw-ins and team handball shots.