Creating New Games

           During our latest class of games, contest and relays, we as a group of 6 classmates were tasked with creating a game from a group of equipment. This exercise was specifically designed to initiate creativity, teamwork, and cooperation, while overcoming difficulties in creating a game under time restraints.

           The first station that we encountered consisted of 6 hockey sticks, 6 hula hoops and 3 small hard orange balls. Immediately all 6 of us started to attempt to create a descent game with what we had in front of us. It was very difficult to agree on a specific aspect of the game because 6 different people are trying to get their ideas heard. We eventually decided on a variation of keep away that included 5 hula hoops in a large circle around the last hula hoop in the middle. With a hockey stick in hand we each stood in one of the 6 hoops. The object of the game was to try and pass to the other classmates in the circle while avoiding the person in the middle hoops from grabbing the 3 balls that were being passed around. Once the person in the middle collected all three of the balls, the last person to have their pass intercepted was then “it” and had to then be in the middle hoop. This game is a very simple game that is mostly directed towards a younger age group of children ( Elementary ages 6-10) that focused on hand eye coordination , verbal communication and decision making skills. During the game play we noticed that the hoops were a bit too far away from the middle hoop which caused a problem for the middle person  reaching out and intercepting the pass. Possible modifications that could be made to solve the problem could be to decrease the size of the outside hoop circle, have the person in the middle use two hockey sticks which would increase the complexity level or don’t limit the middle person to standing inside the hoop so that they can move within the surrounding hoops and increase the total hoop circle to accommodate. I actually liked this station; the variety of equipment that was available made it possible to create a great game but due to the time restraints of the class and the amount of stations that we need to run through made it difficult to create such a game.

           The second station that I would like to mention had a multi coloured parachute, 4 small soft yellow balls and 2 gator balls (soft dodge ball) as its equipment. I would have to say that this station was the most frustrating of the whole activity. Everyone seems to have this great idea that a parachute is so much fun… well I have to admit that I did too, until now. Our game for this station was very difficult to invent because first of all you have to use all of the equipment that is at the station and second, that the parachute is a very obscure piece of gym equipment that is only used for amusement of small primary children and not for older kids. I’m sure there are many educational games that could be played with a parachute but incorporating the balls into the mix made for a greater challenge. The game we came up with started out looking like fun, we separated in to two 3 person teams and all grabbed a side of the chute and flung the balls on top of the chute. One team tried to get the small ball off the chute and on to the ground and the other team the larger balls. The game was a complete failure and we needed a new idea…. Quick! We took the chute and folded it in half to make a semi-circle on the ground. We then separated in to two teams of 3 and took 2 yellow balls and one gator ball aside, we then stood facing the chute approximately 25- 30 feet away. The game was sort of like a Bocce game where you throw a ball and try and land it on the appropriate colours for points. This game was also very simple and would be suited for younger elementary school kids that would focus on throwing (estimating velocities)   hand eye coordination, Decision making skills and possible strategies. I found this station to be the most difficult and frustrating as everyone in the group was trying to come up with a game because of the time restraints but no one could really develop any sound ideas until the time was almost up.

         I found this game creation activity to be very interesting and frustrating at the same time. It will be necessary to sample and come up with different games in the class when I start teaching that this exercise gave me a glimpse into, to break the monotony of the same sports all the time. This exercise was very beneficial to get me to start to think outside the box and to develop new ways of game thinking. I believe that with more time and selective equipment there was real opportunity for my class to come up with skillful, fun and inventive games that could be used in our schools today.