Name & Purpose: Snowball Alley is a dodging-and-throwing gauntlet game. Runners sprint through while Throwers try to hit them with soft sponge balls. It builds agility, throwing accuracy, and quick decision-making.
a.k.a.: Sponge Ball Gauntlet, Dodge Alley, Throw & Cross
Age Band / Group Size / Time / Space: 8β16 years / 10β30 players / 10β20 minutes / Large rectangular area (~15m x 8m, adjustable)
Materials: Cones for rectangle boundary. 10+ very soft sponge balls. Extra balls improve the game.
Quick-Run Card: 1. Mark a rectangle with cones (~15m x 8m). 2. Two Throwers stand along the long sides with balls. 3. All runners line up at one short end. 4. Counsellor calls “Go!” β runners cross. 5. Hit by a ball below the neck? Become a Thrower. 6. Head shots don’t count. 7. For large groups, call subgroups: “Blue shirts, go!” 8. Last runner wins.
Setup & Boundaries: Set up a rectangle with cones. Adjust size for your group β wider for more runners, narrower for more challenge. Place sponge balls along the sidelines. Throwers stand outside the long edges. Runners may not exit through the sides β only forward through the short ends.
How to Play: Two starting Throwers take positions along the long sides of the rectangle. All other players line up at one short end. On the counsellor’s signal, runners sprint to the opposite short end. Throwers throw sponge balls at runners β hits below the neck count. Head shots never count. Hit runners join the Throwers on the sideline and receive a ball. Surviving runners line up at the far end. Call the next crossing. For large groups (15+), call subgroups to cross (“Everyone wearing red, go!”) to avoid collisions. Continue until one runner remains. That runner picks the starting Throwers for the next round.
I-OPt Roles: Runner β sprint, dodge, and time your crossing. Thrower β aim accurately, coordinate throws with other Throwers, retrieve balls quickly. Ball Retriever β stand behind the Throwers and return stray balls quickly to keep the game flowing (great for players who prefer not to throw hard).
Inclusion Supports: The Ball Retriever role is active without requiring throwing or running through the alley. Adjust the rectangle width for players who need more dodging space. Players using mobility aids can cross at their own pace β Throwers must still aim below the neck. Allow players to volunteer as permanent Throwers if crossing causes anxiety.
Stewardship: Collect all sponge balls after play β count them to make sure none are lost. Reflection prompt: “The Throwers had to work as a team. What did they do that made the alley hardest to cross?”
Consent: Pre-brief: “You will be hit with soft sponge balls below the neck. Head shots never count. If being hit by a ball is not right for you today, the Ball Retriever role keeps you active. Step out any time β re-enter as a Thrower at the start of the next crossing.” Mid-game check-in: After 3 crossings, ask “Balls soft enough? Anyone need a break?” Opt-out/re-entry: Sideline as Ball Retriever; re-enter as Thrower next crossing.
Risks & Mitigation:
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Head shots | Medium | Strict “no count” rule; repeat offenders become Ball Retrievers for one round |
| Collisions between runners | Medium | Call subgroups for large groups; stagger starts |
| Balls too hard | Low | Test sponge balls before play; remove any that are too firm |
| Runners tripping on balls on the ground | Low | Ball Retrievers clear the alley between crossings |
Warm-Up Suggestions: Dodge Practice β counsellor throws one soft ball at walking players to practise ducking and sidestepping. Sprint Drill β run the length of the rectangle twice at full speed.
Debrief: What? “What technique worked best for dodging?” So what? “How did the alley change as more Throwers joined?” Now what? “When do you face a gauntlet of challenges in real life β and what helps you get through?”
Cleanup & Reset: Collect and count all sponge balls. Collect cones. Reset in 1 minute.
