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Written By Kim Thomas And Sally Wiltse

Introduction

This activity guide is presented with the adapted student in mind. These activities can be used in a one-on-one situation, as well as in a small group or integrated class setting. BumpBall can be used in place of other types of balls to provide the student with sensory input.

Activities

Rolling Exercises
While sitting, roll BumpBall with an open palm to emphasize the use of the whole hand, thumb and fingers. Have students do the following exercises:

• Roll with right hand on right side of body.
• Roll with left hand on left side of body.
• Roll with right hand crossing in front of body to left side and back.
• Roll with left hand crossing in front of body to right side and back.
• Roll with right hand reaching around back of body.
• Roll with left hand reaching around back of body.
• Begin with right hand, roll to left side, transfer ball to left hand and roll back to right side of body.
• Begin with left hand, roll to right side, transfer ball to right hand and roll back to left side of body.
• Using both hands, roll BumpBall up legs, stomach, chest, neck, face and back to the floor.
• In a long leg sit, roll BumpBall down length of leg and back, stretch as far as possible, and hold.
• In a long leg sit, roll BumpBall with right hand down length of right leg and around feet, transfer ball into left hand and roll back up left leg.
• In a long leg sit, roll BumpBall with left hand down the length of left leg and around feet. Now transfer the ball into right hand and roll the ball back up right leg.
• While laying on stomach or back, roll BumpBall with an open palm to emphasize the use of the whole hand, thumb and fingers:
  • Using the right hand, roll BumpBall on floor up and down right side of body reaching as far as possible while maintaining control of the ball.
  • Using the left hand, roll BumpBall on the floor up and down left side of body, reaching as far as possible while maintaining control of the ball.
  • Using right hand, roll BumpBall on floor up and down left side of body.
  • Using left hand, roll BumpBall on floor up and down right side of body.
  • Using right hand, roll BumpBall on right side on body (legs, stomach, chest).
  • Using left hand, roll BumpBall on left side of body (legs, stomach, chest).
  • Roll BumpBall with right hand up to the head, transfer ball to left hand and roll down left side of body.
  • Roll BumpBall with left hand up to the head, transfer ball to right hand and roll down right side of body.
• Laying face down, place BumpBall on stomach and roll body forward, backward and sideways keeping contact with ball at all times.
• Lay face down on several BumpBalls and roll so contact is on many body parts at the same time.

Ball Pit
Stand mats up on end to form an enclosed area. Fill the area with BumpBalls™ and other soft balls. Participants move around in pit, shoes off. Encourage crawling, wiggling and walking.

Oscar's Garbage Can
Stand mats on sides forming a circle with a low wall. Fill enclosed area with BumpBalls and other types of soft balls. One person (Oscar) is inside the circle (garbage can), while 5 or 6 students stand outside the mats. On a signal, Oscar begins throwing the balls out of the garbage can. The other students pick up the balls and toss back into the garbage can. Stop after a few minutes to change roles.

Striking Skill Exercise
Have students perform the following exercises:

• Secure BumpBall in a mesh bag, suspend it from some apparatus, such as a basket.
• Students strike with right and left hand.
• Students touch and move the ball with fingers, fist, elbow and arm.
• Students strike the ball with their head.
• Students visually track and touch ball while you keep it swinging.
• Swing ball at student so he/she can catch or trap it.
• Suspend BumpBall close to floor, student kicks ball with feet.
• Suspend BumpBall close to floor, student pushes and catches ball with both hands.
• Strike at BumpBall with foam hand paddles or Lollipop Paddles.

Rolling and Trapping Exercise
Have students perform the following exercises:

• While sitting on floor, roll BumpBall to partner and trap on return.
• While sitting on floor, roll BumpBall to wall and trap on return.
• While sitting on floor, roll BumpBall to various targets (hoop or Poly Spot on floor, a mark on wall, box tipped on side).
• While sitting on floor, roll BumpBall to bowling pins.
• Roll BumpBall down bowling ramp to pins.
• While standing or kneeling roll BumpBall to partner and trap on return.
• Standing with back to partner, roll BumpBall between legs to partner and trap on return.
• Push BumpBall off wheelchair tray to floor or partner.

Throwing/Catching Exercise
Have students perform the following exercises:

• Toss and catch by themselves, emphasize catching at high, middle and low levels.
• Toss and catch while sitting on floor, by themselves and with partner.
• Toss and catch while in high kneeling position, by themselves and with partner.
• Toss and catch while sitting on a therapy ball, by themselves and with partner.

Softball
Replace striking by allowing student to throw or roll BumpBall™.

Soccer
Roll BumpBall through Sogo targets outside. This can be used indoors by placing targets with ends into holes of Dome MultiMarkers™. Students can then use scooters if locomotion is a problem. Use short-handled implements such as Lollipop Paddles to strike and roll BumpBall during soccer drills.

Basketball
Shoot BumpBall into lowered target such as a barrel on the floor or hoop held by partner bounce and catch BumpBall during dribbling drills.

Aquatics

• Blow BumpBall across water or to partner.
• Standing in water, push and pull BumpBall in front of body.
• Lying on back and holding kickboard, kick or push at BumpBall with feet.
• Shoot baskets, water polo games, toss and catch.