Blanket Badminton

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NAYSI Activity Tip
May 27, 2001
No. 2

Blanket Badminton

Players (2 to 4) hold onto one towel or blanket and pop a volleyball or other soft ball back and forth over a badminton net as in tennis or volleyball. The blanket team must catch the ball in the air and then pop it over the net. Players must pass the ball from where they catch it. They many not run or carry the ball toward the net.

This game can be played in the back yard, at the beach or at any gathering of playful people.

Variations: The number of players can range from 2 to 8 or 10 depending on the size of the towel or blanket and court. Blanket teams can pop the ball into the air to make a pass to themselves. Play the game on a volleyball court or a tennis court. To add more excitement on hard court surfaces, allow the ball to bounce once before catching it.

Teaching tip: Practice the popping skill by having teams pop the ball into the air and catch it. Then work in pairs by passing the ball back and forth. Once a little skill has been developed, add in the scoring system of your choice.

Good Hands

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NAYSI Activity Tip
May 12, 2001
No.1

Good Hands

What: Have a little fun in the backyard with your baseball and softball kids. Get two to five or six people spaced several feet apart in a pair, triangle, square or circle. Spread your legs apart, bend over at the waist as in fielding a ground ball. Then, simply bat a baseball or softball back and forth on the ground to each other with one hand. Keep the ball moving on the ground. It is fun, makes you watch the ball, and develops quick hands.

Who: This can be played by boys and girls from preschool through the pros.

Variations: Use the dominant hand. Use the non-dominant hand. Use both hands. Start with a larger playground ball if the smaller ball proves to be too tough to handle.

This is the first installment of NAYSI Activity Tip. Look here to find an activity that you can play at home with your kids or on the field and court with your group or team.