Star Wars: Possibly The Best PE Game Ever!

I learned about this game/activity while at an elementary school for three weeks of practicum required by my major.  Honestly, it was the only game I wanted to play everyday after I learned about it.  Star Wars as a game?!  I want to play this game right now as I type it up.  Some of you have an idea what this is, because maybe you even played it as a child.  However, I had no such privilege.  This game is a team based dodge ball game.  It can be played at any age level with only minor modifications.  So many different terminologies or other rules could be added to this game.

There are 2 equal teams, each team has 3 “Lifesavers/Jedi”, and a large area divided in half (gym or giant room is best).   The goal of the game is to knock out the opposing team’s Jedi. During the game, the students cannot cross the dividing line.  I like to use a giant rope, but tape or polyspots work well too.  If students are hit by a ball, or their thrown ball is caught they must sit down where they are.  Don’t let them lay down, or they’ll probably be run over.  The Jedi are able to bring people “back to life” with their Lifesaver (I know, it goes totally against what a Lightsaber actually does) by tagging their teammates on their shoulders.  I like to use short cut pieces of the floating noodles for a swimming pool as a tagging instrument.

It's very basic, but you get the idea.

Above is the layout where the equipment should be placed at the beginning of each game.  The hula hoops are the only safe zones in the game.  If a Jedi is hit by a ball when they are outside of the hula hoops, then they must place their “Lifesaver” in the hula hoop and sit down outside of the hoop.  That “Lifesaver” is gone, and may not be used again.  Nobody else may go in the hula hoop other than the Jedi.  The game is over once all 3 Jedi from a team are out, or you may set a time limit.

If a student is hit in the face or head by a ball, they are not out and whoever threw it must sit down.  If a ball bounces off the ground, and then hits a student they are still in play (you may even add the rule is it hits you at all even after bouncing off the floor or walls then you're out).  Students who are running around hitting others with the noodle in a violent way are immediately taken out of the game as a disciplinary action.  If a student crosses the dividing line for any reason, they must sit down on their side.  Students sitting down may not pick up or throw balls.  The game starts with everyone, except Jedi, standing and ready to go in the back of each divided section.

Learning objectives are to focus on correct throwing and catching mechanics, use of multiple locomotor skills, and learning how to work with others.  It’s very important to challenge the students to work together, be honest, and create strategies.  Stress for low throws, especially if you may be knocked out even after ball bounces off the floor.  Relate the game to other sports they could use similar skills.  Enjoy!  Play Star Wars Theme Music while the game is going on!  This game is So Much Fun!  Remember, the Force will be with you…Always.

Equipment needed:
6 Hula Hoops
6 Noodles
14 or more Gator skin/soft balls depending on group size
Tape/polyspots/rope