Overview
This is a great game to create teamwork between individuals. Players are broken into pairs and must try to throw, catch, and tap other players. The catch? One player is blindfolded and has to depend upon their partner’s guidance to help them achieve the final goal of knocking out all the other players. It’s dodgeball with a twist, and is bound to strengthen some friendships and teach great listening skills!
Age
School-age, Tweens, TeensNumber of Players
3 to 4, 5 to 10, 10 to 20Team Division
Buddy up (pairs of two)Competitiveness
Competitive (has winners and losers)Difficulty
Attention, please! (a few rules to follow)Indoor or Outdoor
EitherSpace Needed
Medium (a clearable open space the size of a 2-car garage), Large (gym, outdoor field, reception hall)Noise Level
Semi-rambunctiousMess Factor
Clean and tidyPrep Time
5 minutes or lessGame Time Length
5 - 15 minutesSupplies
Setup
1. Scatter a bunch of balls on the ground in the playing field.
2. Break group into pairs. If you have an odd man out, they can serve as a referee.
3. Have each pair choose one person to be blindfolded, and do so.
4. Have the unblindfolded team member hold onto their partner’s elbow loosely.
How to Play
The object of the game is to pick up balls and toss them at other teams. If a blindfolded team member gets hit more than 3 times, that team is out of the game, and goes to the sidelines to help referee. Play continues until there is only one team left.
1. Within each team, player number 1 (the non-blindfolded member) leads their partner around the playing field, guiding them with their voice only (they may not pull or push their partner). They will lead their partner to a ball, instruct them where they need to bend to pick it up, and then explain where and how to throw the ball. They can also instruct their partner to duck, bend over, jump, etc. to avoid being hit by any wayward balls.
2. Player number 2 (the blindfolded partner) follows Player 1’s direction.
3. Score is kept like so: when player 2 is hit with a ball, they get one strike against them. Three strikes and the team is out. Player 2 removes his/her blindfold, and the pair stand off to the side, serving as judges for those still playing.
4. If player 2 actually catches a ball that has been thrown at him/her, whomever threw the ball is automatically out.
5. Play until there is only one team left.
6. Switch players 1 and 2 and play a second round.
Variations
1. Have player 1 use only his voice (meaning they do not hold onto player 2’s elbow).
2. Have two teams go one-on-one with each other using just one ball between them. The object here would be to see how many catches they can get between the two of them. The unblindfolded person will be guiding their partner through their voice.
3. Instead of playing until there is only one team left, play 5 or 10 minute rounds. Just play for time then switch positions, so each person gets a chance to both lead, and follow. You can play for number of hits people receive (who gets the highest, who gets the lowest).
Tips
1. Before playing, remind kids that safety is important. Demonstrate how player 1 should lead player 2 by the elbow. Have player 2 walk with their free hand out in front of them to avoid collisions. Take small steps, never run.
2. Demonstrate the way player 1 should lead player 2. For example: "Go forward three steps. Now squat down and reach out with your left hand."
3. Make sure that player 1 is attentive and gentle with player 2.
4. Make sure that player 1 never touches the balls or tries to block incoming balls. Their job is to use their voice... nothing else!
5. Make sure that players aren’t throwing the ball from too close of range.
6. When playing the game, only the blindfolded team member is a target. Meaning, if player number 1 (the unblindfolded member) gets hit, it does not count as a strike against their team.