Poison Ball

Name and Purpose

Poison Ball is a four-team throwing and strategy game where the goal is to deflect the Poison Ball away from your side.
Players practise aim, teamwork, and reading where the ball is heading.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 16-40 players (four teams of four to ten) | 15-25 minutes | Flat outdoor space or gym; square playing area roughly 10m x 20m

Materials

Four cones (square corners)
One beach ball (the Poison Ball)
Eight to fourteen soft play balls: softies, gator balls, foam balls, or sensory balls (nothing hard or heavy)
Optional: coloured bibs or pinnies to identify teams

Quick-Run Card

Set up a square with cones. Four teams line up on the outside of each side.
Distribute soft balls evenly to all teams. Place the beach ball in the centre.
On “Go!” teams throw soft balls at the beach ball to knock it toward opposing teams’ lines.
No player may enter the square or use their body to touch the Poison Ball.
If the Poison Ball crosses a team’s side line, that team earns one “out.” First team to three outs is out of the round.
Play additional rounds, rotating team positions.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark the square clearly with cones. Teams stand just outside their side.
Soft balls that roll or bounce into the square can be retrieved by reaching in (no stepping inside).
Signal: one short whistle = pause and reset the Poison Ball to centre; two whistles = end of round.
Staff should be aware of any campers with eye or face sensitivities around soft projectiles.

How to Play

Divide the group into four equal teams. Assign each team to one side of the square.
Distribute soft balls evenly to all teams.
Place the beach ball (Poison Ball) in the centre of the square.
On “Go!” all teams attempt to throw their soft balls at the Poison Ball to knock it toward an opposing team’s line.
Players may not step inside the square. Players may not touch the Poison Ball with any part of their body.
If the Poison Ball crosses a team’s line, that team earns one “out.” Three outs and that team’s round is over. They move to the sideline and cheer, or they become the official referees for the remaining teams.
After each “out,” reset the Poison Ball to centre before continuing.
The last team without three outs wins the round.
Rotate team positions and replay.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Primary thrower on your team, aiming and adjusting strategy as the ball moves.
S (Support): Ball retriever: collect soft balls that roll away from your team’s side and pass them to throwers.
Q (Quiet): Tactical caller: watch where the Poison Ball is drifting and direct your team without throwing.
O (Observer): Sideline referee or scorekeeper. Count outs, watch for rule breaks, join the next round.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who find throwing difficult can take the ball-retrieval or tactical caller role without any change to the game’s outcome.
Move the team’s line closer to the square for players who need a shorter throwing distance.
Use a larger, lighter ball (second beach ball) as one of the soft balls for players with limited grip strength.

Stewardship Moment

Collect all soft balls and the Poison Ball after play. Count them back into the bag.
Reflection: “Did you adjust your strategy when you had fewer balls? What changed?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves throwing soft balls in a shared space. For those not comfortable with things flying past them, the tactical caller or ball-retrieval roles are another option.”
Mid-game check: After the first round, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is the pace and the throwing feeling?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Step to the sideline as scorekeeper or ref at any time. Raise a hand to join the next round.

Risks and Mitigation

Soft balls thrown at high speed: remind players the goal is to hit the Poison Ball, not players on the other team. Aim low and toward the beach ball.
Players reaching too far into the square and falling: keep a firm “no stepping in” rule. Reaching with one arm is fine.
Disputes about whether the Poison Ball fully crossed the line: designate one staff member as the final call-maker per round.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Target Toss”: each team throws soft balls at a single stationary cone. First to knock it over earns a cheer. Warms up throwing mechanics.
“Slow Roll”: everyone rolls a soft ball gently across the square to the opposite team. Gets hands warm and establishes the space.

Debrief Questions

What? “When did the game feel most out of control? What caused that?”
So What? “How did your team decide who threw and who retrieved?”
Now What? “What does it feel like to defend something you can’t physically touch?”

Cleanup and Reset