SPUD

Full Length PE Games

Red Ball

Equipment:

  • Something to throw and catch (i.e. playground ball, rubber chicken, dodgeball…etc.).
  • Hula hoop (optional).

Description:

  • To start, a player is chosen as “It” and the others stand in a circle around them (the “It” player can stand inside the hula hoop if you want). You could also have several games of SPUD going at once, depending on the size of your group, and the ability level of your kids.
  • “It” throws the ball straight up into the air as high as they can, calling out the name of a player in the circle.
  • That player must then run and catch the ball.
  • If the new player catches the ball, then everyone stays in their spot in the circle, waiting for the player in the middle to call out a new name and throw the ball straight up in the air.
  • If the new player doesn’t catch the ball, or catches it and then drops it, the other players must turn and run as fast as they can.
  • Once the new player has picked up the dropped ball, they shout “SPUD” as loud as they can, and the other players must freeze (a good rule to install is that if the teacher sees anyone running after the new player gets the ball and yells “SPUD,” then said player is penalized by getting a letter (more on this in a second)).
  • With everyone frozen, the player with the ball must throw or roll the ball at another player or at their feet, sometimes after taking three giant steps towards them (this rule is up to you).
  • The target player(s) may not move their feet at all (but can twist, turn and duck to try and get out of the way), and if the “It” hits them with the ball, then they get a letter to start spelling SPUD, and become “It” in the middle.
  • Alternatively, if the ball misses the target, “It” gets a letter to start spelling SPUD.
  • A player who moves their feet to dodge the ball will also get a letter.
  • A player who gets four letters (spelling out “SPUD”) is out, or has to do a physical challenge (run around the field 3 times), before rejoining.
  • Play as many times as you like, and change the groups up often for different dynamics.
Spud

Spud