Soft Toss Challenge

Name and Purpose

Soft Toss Challenge brings the excitement of dodgeball with a playful, lower-impact twist.
Players build throwing accuracy, spatial awareness, and quick movement in a team format.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Large outdoor space or gym, min. 20m x 15m

Materials

Soft foam balls or small plush balls (one per 3-4 players; do NOT use actual marshmallows, which are a food waste and pose a choking hazard if misused)
4-6 cones for boundaries and centre line
Coloured pinnies or wristbands (optional, for team identification)

Quick-Run Card

Mark a centre line and two halves with cones.
Teams start in their own half with foam balls.
Players toss balls to hit opponents below the shoulders.
Hit players step to the sideline Recharge Zone, complete a quick task (5 jumping jacks or 3 claps), then re-enter.
Round ends at the whistle. Count active players per team.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark a rectangle with a centre line using 4-6 cones.
Recharge Zones are clearly marked at each sideline.
Signal: 1 short whistle = pause; 2 short whistles = stop and gather.
Head and neck shots do not count as hits. Players are reminded before every round.
Check surface for wet patches or obstacles.

How to Play

Teams start in their own half. Foam balls are placed along the centre line.
On the start signal, players retrieve balls and begin tossing.
A hit below the shoulders counts. The hit player walks to their sideline Recharge Zone.
Recharge Zone: complete a quick energising task (5 jumping jacks, 3 big claps, or a staff-led movement). Then walk back in.
If a player catches a thrown ball before it bounces, the thrower goes to their Recharge Zone instead.
Balls that go to the other team’s side can be retrieved by crossing into the other half only at a neutral corner (marked by a cone).
Round ends at the whistle. The team with more active players earns the round point.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Run, dodge, throw, and catch at full intensity.
S (Support): Feed balls to teammates, call out “ball on your left,” cover a zone.
Q (Quiet): Stay near the back of your half, focus on deflecting or catching rather than throwing.
O (Observer): Watch from the sideline, count catches, call out Recharge Zone completions, join when ready.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who cannot run can play from a stationary base zone and focus on catching and throwing.
Use larger, lighter balls for players who need an easier-to-grip option.
Staff should be aware of any players with sensory sensitivities to sudden noise or physical contact; quieter edge roles work well for these players.

Stewardship Moment

Foam balls are reusable. Collect every ball after play, wipe down if needed, and store for next time.
Reflection: “We used foam balls instead of actual marshmallows. Why does that matter for the environment?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves throwing soft balls at each other. For those not comfortable with being in the main field, helping from the sideline as a ball counter or Recharge Zone guide is a great option.”
Mid-game check: After 5 minutes, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is everyone going?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Step to the sideline and raise a hand. Rejoin at the next round start or Recharge Zone moment.

Risks and Mitigation

Head and face contact: state the no-head-shots rule clearly before every round and pause play if it occurs.
Collisions when retrieving centre-line balls: establish a neutral-corner retrieval rule to reduce scrambles.
Frustration from repeated hits: Recharge Zone must feel engaging, not punishing.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Toss and Name”: stand in a circle, toss a ball to someone while saying their name.
“Dodge the Slow Roll”: staff slowly rolls a ball at each player standing in a line; they practise side-stepping.

Debrief Questions

What? “What strategy did your team use to protect your active players?”
So What? “How did you feel when you were in the Recharge Zone? How did that change things?”
Now What? “What does it feel like to have an easy way back in after making a mistake?”

Cleanup and Reset