Kids Karate Game – Tag Ball

Jason Stanley 

Here’s a kids’ game you can use at the end of your martial arts class as a reward. Takes like 3 minutes and students will leave your dojo on a “high”. This is just one game in my 50 Kids Karate Games package that kids of all ages love.

(Actually, adults have been know to enjoy this one too – but shhhhhhh! Adults aren’t supposed to have fun, especially in a karate class! It’s supposed to be more like consentual torture, right?)

The game is called Tag-Ball.

Works like this:

You and an assistant instructor are on one team. Your students make up the other team. Your team’s job is to eliminate your students by tagging them with the ball (a soft inflatable ball will do just fine). Their job is to avoid being eliminated.

The rules of the Basic Game are these:

  1. When in possession of the ball, you may not move.
  2. When you don’t have the ball, you can run to position close to your students.
  3. You can throw the ball to your assistant instructor(s), and they can throw it to you, and when you’re close to a student, reach out and tag them with the ball (you cannot throw the ball at a student to eliminate them).
  4. Once a student is eliminated they sit down on the side of the mat.

Here are 2 more variations of the basic game.

  1. Infection –  When a student is eliminated they’re not out – they’re infected. That means they join your team until only one student remains uninfected. They are declared the winner.
  2. Role Reversal – In this variation, students must eliminate the instructors. This is a hoot. Kids will break all kinds of rules trying to eliminate you. They’ll chase after you when in possession of the ball, throw the ball at you, etc.

    (Usually I set a time limit on this variation, because the kids rarely eliminate a single instructor. You know, because we move like ninja-cats…)

    In all seriousness, it’s actually a good agility game to teach teamwork, as well as athleticism and hand-eye coordination.

That’s it for today…

Enjoy,

Jason

 

Recommended Posts

Embracing Empathy: The Art of Teaching Martial Arts

Teaching martial arts goes far beyond imparting techniques and movements; it is about shaping character, instilling respect, and promoting continuous growth. Our approach to instruction, therefore, can significantly impact the way our students perceive and engage with karate. One aspect we should reflect on is the tone and method of our instruction. Are we merely […]

Jason Stanley 

How To Keep Students Interested

In a recent survey I asked instructors what their biggest challenge is when it comes to teaching and running a dojo. I received a wide variety of responses from needing new drills and exercises, to keeping helicopter parents from interfering, to managing student data. But one of the more common challenges relates to student retention, […]

Jason Stanley 

How to Develop Fighter Instinct

The tactical landscape of tournament fighting is forever changing. Competitors and coaches are always looking for an edge over their opponents. And with the all-too-frequent changes in rules, there is an arms race to develop the next great strategy, tactic, or method. Thanks to the pursuit of the next nuclear fighting tactic, fundamentals have taken […]

Jason Stanley 

5 thoughts on “Kids Karate Game – Tag Ball

  1. Eche

    Sounds like anarchy. Excellent!

    1. Jason Stanley

      Think of it more like “controlled-anarchy”. There are rules remember… =)

  2. John Schieven

    Hi Jason, I am assuming the kids are allowed to move around constantly to avoid being tagged, whithin a set area. ?
    Sounds good cant wait to try it.

    1. Jason Stanley

      Hi John,

      Yep, that’s it. Kids can run wherever, in an area you define. It might be the entire floor, or if you are teaching in a gymnasium, etc. you might like to limit the area… unless you really like running.

      😉

      Jason

  3. Keorapeste

    thanks for all your help,this will be a christmas bonus for the kids before we close for holiday.

Leave A Comment