Chair Basketball

Name and Purpose

• Chair Basketball is a seated team game that builds communication and coordination.
• Players practice passing, teamwork, and spatial awareness without leaving their seats.

a.k.a.

• Seated Ball Pass, Chair Ball

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 12-40 players | 15-25 minutes | Large indoor room or sheltered outdoor space

Materials

• Chairs (one per player)
• 1 soft fabric ball or beach ball (reusable across rounds)
• Cones or tape for boundary markers
• Whistle for signals
• Do not use balloons. Fabric or foam balls are reusable and leave no debris.

Quick-Run Card

1. Set two rows of chairs facing each other, about 2 metres apart.
2. One Hoop Holder sits at each end with arms out, forming a target hoop.
3. Place a soft fabric ball or beach ball in the centre between teams to start.
4. Teams pass the ball down their row toward their Hoop Holder.
5. A point is scored when the ball passes through the hoop without the Hoop Holder standing up.

Setup and Boundaries

• Arrange chairs in two parallel rows, 2 metres apart, in a clear area
• Mark row ends with cones so players know the field boundaries
• Signal: 1 whistle blast = pause; 2 blasts = stop and reset
• Check floor for hazards before seating players

How to Play

1. All players sit in their assigned chairs and stay seated throughout.
2. The leader places a soft fabric ball or beach ball between the two teams.
3. Players bat or tap the ball along their row toward their Hoop Holder.
4. The Hoop Holder may not stand; they use only their arms to form the hoop.
5. A successful pass through the hoop earns a point. Ball is reset to centre.
6. Rotate the Hoop Holder role every two rounds so everyone gets a turn.
7. First team to an agreed score (e.g., 5 points) wins the round.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Play in the main row, batting and passing the ball
• S (Support): Serve as Hoop Holder or team coach, calling out plays
• Q (Quiet): Sit at the row end and focus on accurate arm positioning as Hoop Holder
• O (Observer): Track the score, call out ball position, or manage spare balls at the sideline

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who cannot reach the ball may use a foam pool noodle to extend their reach
• Hoop Holder role is seated and low-movement, suitable for players with limited mobility

Stewardship Moment

• Fabric and foam balls last for many seasons. Store them dry between uses.
• No single-use materials in this game. Nothing to pick up, nothing to throw away.

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game is played entirely from your seat. For those not comfortable being close to neighbours in a chair row, an end-of-row or Hoop Holder spot is another option.”
• Mid-game check: After the first round, ask “Thumbs up, sideways, or down for how this is going.”
• Re-entry: Any player who steps out may re-enter at the start of the next round by taking any open chair.

Risks and Mitigation

• Players standing up: remind the group the seated rule is for safety as much as fairness; referee calls a free pass for the other team if broken
• Ball hitting a face: instruct players to bat upward and across, not directly at others
• Chair tipping: check chairs are stable before play begins; no leaning far back

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Seated Wave”: players pass a wave gesture down the row as fast as possible, then reverse
• “Ball Countdown”: each player taps the ball in the air solo, counting how many taps before it falls

Debrief Questions

• What? “What strategies did your team use to move the ball?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Collect the ball and store for reuse
• Return chairs and cones to their places
• Quick floor check for any gear left behind