Toss and Catch Circle

Name and Purpose

• Toss and Catch Circle builds co-ordination, teamwork, and the fun of working together as a moving unit.
• Teams practise communicating, moving in sync, and tracking a flying ball.

a.k.a.

• Elephant Skin Ball, Circle Toss

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players | 10-15 minutes | Open flat space, indoor or outdoor, minimum 10m diameter

Materials

• 1 soft or elephant-skin ball
• Optional: cones to mark team starting areas

Quick-Run Card

1. Divide into two equal teams. Each team joins hands to form a large circle.
2. Each team picks one player to be “It” for the round.
3. “It” closes their eyes, turns around, and tosses the ball over their head toward the other team.
4. The other team’s circle moves together to catch the ball inside their joined-hands boundary.
5. A clean catch scores a point. Rotate “It” every turn.

Setup and Boundaries

• Mark two team starting areas with cones, at least 5m apart.
• Signal: 1 short whistle = pause; 2 whistles = stop and gather.
• Check the space for obstacles before play.

How to Play

1. Split into two equal teams. Each team joins hands in a large circle.
2. Each team selects one player to be “It” for the first round. That player steps to the centre of their circle.
3. “It” closes their eyes, turns to face the other team’s circle, and tosses the ball over their head.
4. The other team’s circle moves together to position themselves under the ball and catch it within their joined-hands boundary.
5. A clean catch (ball lands and stays inside the circle) scores one point.
6. If the ball lands outside, no point is scored.
7. Rotate “It” to a new player after every turn. Each player takes a turn as “It” before anyone repeats.
8. Play for 10 minutes or until each player has had a turn as “It.”

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Be “It” and toss the ball; guide your circle’s movement.
• S (Support): Call directions to teammates (“left,” “forward”) as the ball is in the air.
• Q (Quiet): Hold the circle steady; focus on grip and positioning.
• O (Observer): Track points; watch for patterns in where “It” tends to toss.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to hold hands can link arms or hold a short rope handle connecting to the players beside them.
• A seated player can participate as a circle anchor, holding the hands of players on either side.

Stewardship Moment

• One ball, two teams, no waste. Reflect: “What makes a simple game satisfying?”
• After play, return the ball to equipment storage.

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves joining hands in a circle and moving together. For those not comfortable holding hands, linking arms or using a rope handle are great options.”
• Mid-game check: After 5 minutes, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How are we going?”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Step out of the circle at any time. Rejoin at any gap in the circle when ready.

Risks and Mitigation

• Ball thrown too hard or high: remind “It” to toss gently upward, not powerfully; demonstrate the ideal arc.
• Circle pulling apart from rushing: remind players to hold firmly but not yank.
• Collision between teams when chasing the ball: teams stay in their own zone; only the catching team moves.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Circle Walk”: the whole group joins hands and walks in a circle together, practising synchronised movement.
• “Toss and Call”: “It” tosses a ball blind and calls a direction; group adjusts.

Debrief Questions

• What? “What happened when the ball went somewhere unexpected?”
• So What? “What did your circle need to do well to catch successfully?”
• Now What? “What is a situation where you have to move as a group even if you can not see exactly what is coming?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Return the ball to storage.
• Collect any cones used.