Kick and Chase

Name and Purpose

Kick and Chase is a fast, unpredictable game that gives every player an equal shot at the action.
The ball can land anywhere, so size and speed matter less than hustle and positioning.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-20 players | 15-25 minutes | Large outdoor open space, min. 30m x 30m

Materials

1 large kickball or soft rubber ball (the softer and larger, the better for fair catching and throwing)
4 cones for boundary markers
Coloured pinnies (optional, to identify the current Kicker clearly)

Quick-Run Card

Mark a large open space with cones.
Kicker stands at the boundary edge and kicks the ball high into the field.
All Chasers scatter and scramble to reach the ball first.
Whoever gets the ball becomes the Chaser and tries to throw it to hit the Kicker (below the shoulders) within the boundary.
Hit means the Chaser becomes the new Kicker. Miss means the same Kicker goes again.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark a square or rectangle with 4 cones (min. 30m x 30m). Kicker kicks from one edge.
The Kicker must stay within the boundary during the chase.
Signal: 1 short whistle = pause; 2 short whistles = stop and gather.
Check field for holes, uneven ground, or obstacles before play.
Throws must be at or below the shoulders. Head-height throws do not count.

How to Play

All players spread out in the open space. One player starts as the Kicker.
The Kicker stands at the boundary edge and kicks the ball as high and far as possible.
All other players (Chasers) run to get the ball. Whoever reaches it first picks it up.
The Kicker immediately runs within the boundary to avoid being hit.
The Chaser throws the ball at the Kicker (below the shoulders). Other Chasers cannot interfere with the throw.
If the throw hits the Kicker, the Chaser becomes the new Kicker for the next round.
If the throw misses, the ball goes back to the Kicker for another kick.
If a smaller or younger player consistently cannot reach the ball first, invite any player who has kicked multiple times in a row to hand off the ball to a player who has not had a turn yet. This keeps the game random and fair for everyone.
Second Circle: any player who needs a break steps to the boundary edge and counts kicks or calls out landing spots. They rejoin at the next round.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Sprint for the ball at full speed, take the Kicker or Chaser role fully.
S (Support): Call out where the ball is landing, encourage Chasers, count rounds.
Q (Quiet): Position yourself strategically and wait for the ball to come near you rather than sprinting.
O (Observer): Watch a round from the boundary edge, count how far the ball travels, join when ready.

Inclusion Adaptations

Allow players to throw from wherever they pick the ball up, removing the pressure to sprint all the way to the Kicker.
Use a larger, lighter ball to give a better chance to players with different throwing ranges.
Kicker can throw the ball into the field instead of kicking, if kicking is not accessible.

Stewardship Moment

After play, return the ball and collect all cones. Do a 60-second ground sweep.
Reflection: “The game is most fun when everyone gets a turn. What did your group do to make sure that happened?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves running and one throw aimed at a person, below the shoulders only. For those not comfortable with that, counting kicks or calling landing spots from the boundary is another option.”
Mid-game check: After 5 minutes, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. Is the game feeling fair and fun?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Step to the boundary edge and raise a hand. Rejoin at the next round.

Risks and Mitigation

Throw to the head: state the shoulders-and-below rule clearly before play; pause immediately if violated.
Collisions while scrambling: remind players to call “Got it!” when they reach the ball to prevent multiple players diving for it.
One player dominating as Kicker: use the hand-off norm (see How to Play, step 8) to keep the role moving.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“High Kick Practice”: each player gets one practice kick to warm up legs and gauge the ball’s travel distance.
“Scatter Sprint”: on a whistle, players run to touch the boundary cone nearest them and return to centre.

Debrief Questions

What? “Who surprised themselves by getting to the ball?”
So What? “How did the randomness of where the ball landed change things compared to a normal team game?”
Now What? “What does it feel like when a game is set up so everyone has a fair shot?”

Cleanup and Reset