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This challenge will be tough whether you choose level 1 or level 2. BURPEES are one of the toughest yet most beneficial exercises. The health benefits of burpees include strengthening major muscle groups, burning lots of calories, and improving cardiovascular fitness. Like all exercises, maximizing benefits comes with proper form. Too many times, especially with children, form is sacrificed for speed. Remind yourself and your students to slow do and concentrate on performing each part of the burpee with precision.
THE BASIC BURPEE FORM
*Thank you EXPERIENCE LIFE by LIFETIME for the illustration and explanation of a proper burpee.
I introduced BEACH BALL IN A BASKET to my third-grade students during our team-building unit early in the school year. It proved to be an ideal game encouraging cooperation, patience, communication, and fun!
How to play:
While observing my fifth-grade students play the same version of the game, one student, passionate about soccer, asked if her group could try playing the same game using everything but their arms and hands. BRILLIANT! “Go for it”, I replied, wondering why I didn’t think of it first.
Finally, during our volleyball unit, I decided to once again break out the trusty laundry baskets for yet another version of the game. The rules were similar.
While students were at home due to Covid 19, I presented a similar game with slightly different rules using a balloon rather than a beach ball.
I’m certain that BALLOON IN A BASKET would work well at school as well. Just be sure there aren’t any latex allergies or students who have a fear of balloons popping.
April 2017
Back in 2017, as an exploration station, I spread out three cones in a row, each connected with jump ropes. Along the wall, I placed a gator skin ball, three foam paddles., and a foam tennis ball. I figured each group would use the paddles and the foam tennis ball to volley over the net. To my surprise, the very first group developed what they called Floorball in just three minutes. Their rules were so simple. Strike the ball under the rope past the opposing player to receive a point. Brilliant!
The next group must have been intrigued by the first group, as they decided to build on the rules. In doing so, they added the “two touches” rule. A player could block the ball (one-touch) then strike it (second touch) under the net. They also added a special rule for games of two players versus one. They used three cones evenly spaced as a net. If playing as a single-player, you could strike the ball to the left or the right of the center cone. Teams of two had to stand side by side and could only strike the ball through their side of the center cone. What a great way to balance the two-player advantage! Again, genius!
Floorball has continued to evolve throughout the years. I proudly observe several variations of the game on social media to this very day. In the five years since witnessing its inception, I along with my students listed our official rules for traditional floorball. We have also created lead-up games and spin-offs which have proven equally fun. Below, find videos and descriptions of each of our floorball variations.
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How to play:
How to Score Points:
This version of floorball is almost exactly the same as traditional floorball. However, players trap and stop the ball before striking it back to the opponent. This is different than the two-touch rules in traditional floorball since players must stop the ball.
Even though floorball doesn’t technically have goalies, I like playing this game for offensive striking and defensive blocking practice. Set up two cones for a goal about 5-feet apart. Drop a spot 10-feet from the goal.
Round 1 – The player strikes the ball from the spot using proper striking fundamentals.
Round 2 – The player can advance the ball using the paddle toward the goalie before taking a shot.
I allow the goalies to use any part of the body and paddle to block the ball.
I like to play team floorball as a culminating activity. I play with 10 players on each team.
Paddle pinball is similar to team floorball. I move the goals back to the end lines and add a variety of obstacles, much like a pinball machine. Obstacles can include aerobic steppers, mats, cones, or any other safe pieces of equipment. Make sure the setup on each side is identical. You can keep score similar to team floorball or simply play to have fun, which is what we most often do. I find that medium and small gator balls work best for each of these games.