8-21 Mansfield Drive Home of the world’s first Inflatable Bowling Ball Fair Lawn, NJ, 07410 Phone: 201.815.3666 www.holeyinflataballs.com
Activity Guide The Inflatable Bowling Ball
As a physical education teacher, I noticed that my students would play kickball every class if they had the opportunity. Obviously, this does not concur with any physical education curriculums, but the popularity of the game among the students was undeniable. My students also showed great interest in the game of bowling and bowling skill classes that I would conduct. To combine the two engaging activities, I would use the game of kickball to introduce and practice the skill of rolling a playground ball with bowling form. The light weight of the ball was ideal for the learning progression. Just like peanut butter and chocolate, kickball and bowling were a great combination. I thought that If we can put a man on the moon, we can develop an air-filled playground ball with finger ports like a bowling ball. Hence, the birth of the Inflatable Bowling Ball. I created a game called Bowling-Kickball, and I used playground chalk to draw lines from the pitching lane to the corners of home plate, simulating a typical bowling lane. Students had to roll the playground ball with bowling form within the lane to the awaiting kicker. With baseball rules, if the ball veered outside the line it was a “ball”, and if it rolled over the plate and between the lines it was a “strike”. The Inflatable Bowling Ball is a standard size, 8-inch rubber playground ball with three finger ports. This versatile ball also becomes an all-purpose playground ball which can be used for soccer, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball and a multitude of other playground activities.
The rationale for using the Inflatable Bowling Ball is that it is light weight, making it easier for younger children to grip and roll with correct form. The Inflatable Bowling Ball creates the challenge of putting a spin on the ball for older students. The Inflatable Bowling Ball is also an ideal piece of equipment for any Adapted Physical Education class.
8-21 Mansfield Drive Home of the world’s first Inflatable Bowling Ball Fair Lawn, NJ, 07410 Phone: 201.815.3666 www.holeyinflataballs.com
Elementary Progression
Activity: Ball handling Objective: Students will learn how to hold ball. Materials: Inflatable Bowling Ball Procedure: Each student will get an opportunity to place fingers in the finger ports. Have students practice gripping the ball with their right and left hand. Teaching points: Have students experience what the ball feels like. The ball was designed as a one-size-fits all product. Adapt some problem solving to students with little fingers. Little fingers need to squeeze for better control.
Activity: Exercises while gripping ball Materials: Inflatable Bowling Ball Objective: To promote grip strength, upper body strength and flexibility Procedure: Have students perform exercises such as arm circles, front arm raises or lateral arm raises. Include multi joint exercises such as deep knee bends while performing lateral raise. Teaching points: Having a ball in each hand enhances activity. Emphasize gripping the ball. Having a lighter ball and not a big heavy bowling ball, allows the players to work on technique.
Activity: Partner roll Objective: Students will be able to grip ball correctly and roll it to a partner Materials: Inflatable bowling ball Procedure: Students will pair up with a partner and practice rolling the ball to each other. Teaching points: Emphasize proper grip. After several rolls, have students take two or three steps and roll. Emphasize correct body posture and follow through. Emphasize little bend with the knees but a lot at the waist. Draw a lane between partners. Start with a short distance and increase it as the students progress. Another problem-solving challenge is to have students understand that the ball is inflatable and bounces. Hence, correct posture at the release of the ball will help keep the ball closer to the surface and eliminating bounce.
8-21 Mansfield Drive Home of the world’s first Inflatable Bowling Ball Fair Lawn, NJ, 07410 Phone: 201.815.3666 www.holeyinflataballs.com
Grades 3 – 8 Progression
Game: Bowling kickball Objective: Students will be able to roll an inflatable bowling ball using correct technique during a game of kickball. Materials: Inflatable Bowling Ball, bases, playground chalk, floor tape or stencil. Procedure: Divide class into two kickball teams. Set up bases and outline a bowling lane from rolling spot to home plate using chalk or stencil. Each student will get a chance to roll to a kicker using correct technique. Balls and strikes will be based on the ball staying in the lane. Assessment: Correct footwork, gripping ball correctly and rolling technique.
Game: Single Pin Knockdown Objective: Students will be able to roll an Inflatable Bowling Ball using correct technique to knock down one lone pin. Materials: Inflatable bowling ball, pins Procedure: Pair up students. One student rolls using correct bowling technique and the other student retrieves the ball. Each student gets five attempts. Knocking down one pin is challenging, forcing the student to use correct form and demonstrate accuracy. Assessment: Correct footwork and rolling technique.
Game: 10/1 Pin knockdown Objective: Students will be able to knock down pins using correct technique Procedure: Students will pair up with a partner. Each student will get the chance to roll or pin set. The roller gets one chance to knock down 10 pins. Pins are reset to nine, eight until roller is left to try to knock down one pin. Pin setter keeps score. Students will then switch positions. Most pins win. Assessment: Emphasize proper footwork, posture, grip and release.
8-21 Mansfield Drive Home of the world’s first Inflatable Bowling Ball Fair Lawn, NJ, 07410 Phone: 201.815.3666 www.holeyinflataballs.com
Game: Pin Knockdown Objective: Students will be able to roll an Inflatable Bowling Ball using correct technique and knocking down as many pins as possible on their opponent’s side. Materials: Inflatable Bowling Balls, pins, playground chalk. Procedure: Divide students into two teams. Separate teams by using chalk to create boundary. Set up as many pins as possible, equally. Students will roll Inflatable Bowling Ball using correct technique trying to knock down their opponent’s pins. Students must try to protect pins by intercepting ball. Once intercepted they can now try to roll and knockdown other team’s pins. First team to knock down all pins is declared winner. Four balls per team is suggested. Assessment: Correct rolling technique during game. Finger indents must be used
Game: Semi – Elimination Dodgeball Objective: Students will be able to throw the Inflatable Bowling Ball, using finger ports, at members of opposing team. Materials: Inflatable Bowling Balls, cones for boundaries, playground chalk Procedure: Two teams are divided equally and separated by chalk line. Teams start with each team having the same number of balls. Balls are thrown while using finger ports at their targets (opponents). If a student is hit, he or she is out until a teammate catches a ball allowing them back in. This keeps the game moving. Teaching Points: Safety is critical in this game. The target is between the chest and knees. Accidents happen. If the thrower hits target other than rules stated, they are out until a teammate catches the ball. Students should take advantage of finger ports allowing them more control when throwing.
8-21 Mansfield Drive Home of the world’s first Inflatable Bowling Ball Fair Lawn, NJ, 07410 Phone: 201.815.3666 www.holeyinflataballs.com
How this relates to Current Educational Thinking
The vision for using the Inflatable Bowling Ball is to develop new and creative dimensions of play by providing unique concepts that promote active lifestyles for all ages and abilities. Let’s get the ball rolling. Carryover from physical education classes to home and neighborhood use is invaluable to our sometimes sedentary children. Adult kickball leagues will find that the inflatable bowling will add a challenging dynamic to their game. The A.S.C.M recommends 150 minutes per week of activity to fulfill fitness needs. The use of the Inflatable Bowling Ball can help to fulfill this goal.
For more information about the Inflatable Bowling Ball, and how to order yours, please visit www.holeyinflataballs.com. Like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/holeyInflataballs. We can be reached any time by email at [email protected].