No.214
Count-and-Bounce Ball Game
Japanese name: 数に合わせるまりつき
Materials
- A bouncy ball of a manageable size for the participant’s hand
How to play
- Give each person enough room to extend both arms without collisions. Clear hard or rolling objects. Start holding the ball in both hands.
- Drop it, let it bounce once, and catch with both hands. Then gently push it down with one hand, bounce once, and catch again.
- The facilitator counts slowly: one, two, three. Bounce continuously with one hand in time with the count. Use gentle force so the ball returns below waist height.
- After ten consecutive bounces, catch and rest. Once comfortable, add only one change, such as switching hands after five bounces.
- Try about three attempts each, then discuss the longest count or difficult movements. Look around and walk when retrieving a ball that rolls away.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: one bounce and catch. Younger primary school children: ten bounces. Older primary school children: alternate hands.