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Written By Dan Cariaga

Introduction

The grid surface on the TechTackBall is the perfect size and texture to grasp, especially for those who have weakness of the hands and fingers. This guide is designed to help you and your students get the most from your TechTackBall in an adapted environment.

Objectives for Use

Grasping, releasing, striking, catching, retrieving, throwing and tossing TechTackBall in a successful manner.

Activities

One Bounce Baseball
This game can be played with the same rules as softball, with one exception: A ball that is hit and caught on one bounce is considered an out.

Ultimate Football
Derived from the game "keep-away." The class is divided into 2 teams. A field or court with end lines is used. The object of the game is to toss and catch a ball up field (or court) with your team members. A team scores one point when the ball is thrown over the end line to a team member who catches the ball.
Players are not allowed to take a step when they have the ball. When a player drops a ball, it automatically goes to the other team. Defenders are not allowed to defend the person holding the ball, but may defend the receivers.

One For The Gripper
Students get in a circle formation. One player is given a ball and passes it to the player next to him/her. The player then runs around the circle returning to the previous spot. Players on the circle pass the ball, counting each time ball is passed to another person. The player with the ball when the runner sits down is the new runner.
Variations:

1. Use different modes of passing the ball (throwing, tossing, dribbling before passing, passing behind the back, passing under the legs, etc.).
2. Make up routines that the runner will do rather than running around the circle (shoot 3 free throws, 10 push-ups, run an obstacle course, etc.).

Ultimate Basketball
This game is similar to the rules of ultimate football, but played on a basketball court. In short, the ball can not be dropped or bounced. Players are not allowed to take a step when they have the ball. When a player drops the ball, it automatically goes to the other team. Defenders are not allowed to defend the person holding the ball, but may defend the receivers.
Scoring: 1 point for hitting the backboard or rim.
2 points for making a basket.
Variations:

1. Use only 2-handed underhand shot to score.
2. Use only 2-handed overhand shot (similar to soccer throw-in) to score.
3. Use only a throw to score.
4. Shooting can only be done from behind the 3-point line.

Net Ball
This is a volleyball lead-up game. It has the same rules as volleyball, but the ball is thrown and caught rather than hit.
Variations: Use multiple (2 or 3) balls at one time. Once the ball is dropped or lands out of bounds, it is not replayed until the last ball is finished.

Scatter Tag
Students are scattered with one student being IT. The IT player starts running with a TechTackBall™ in one hand. IT may choose to toss the ball to another player at any time. The other students chase IT and try to tag IT. The player who tags IT before IT tosses the ball becomes the new IT and is chased by the other students.

Silent Speedball
Players are sitting in a squad formation or at their desks. Players begin by tossing or throwing the ball to players who are not "out." A player who makes a bad catch or throw is "out." A player is also "out" if he/she talks, or throws the ball to a player who is "out." Play continues until all players are "out." Players who are "out" can decoy the thrower without talking, by pretending they are still "in." Honesty by the players is important, so the teacher is "in charge," and all decisions are final.