Snowman Battle: Drop-and-Catch Game with a Snowman for Physical Education

The Snowman Battle is a snowman game for physical education in which two teams try to knock the opposing snowman off its box using medicine balls. Players can throw and catch balls while protecting their own snowman and their secret Ice Queen or secret Ice King.

What is included

• Game description with a list of materials and an illustration of the game setup with snowmen, ice prisons, and the secret role
• Game rules for hits, ice prisons, release, court boundaries, and winning a round
• Variations for changing the setup and rules

Tips for using the materials

• Secret role: Each team can appoint one person as the Ice Queen or Ice King, who is only revealed to the game leader. They can release teammates from the ice prison by tagging them.
• Winning a round: A round can be won in three ways: completely knocking the opposing snowman off its box, knocking off the opposing Ice Queen or Ice King, or hitting so many people that all opposing ice prisons are occupied at the same time. If this secret person is hit, they are enchanted and destroy their own snowman.
• Hits: Ground balls and caught balls do not count as hits, but a throw blocked by another ball does. Both teams must remain on their own half of the court.
• Multiple rounds: More rounds can follow the first round, with a final evaluation at the end.
• Rule variations: Those hit can throw from the ice prison and are free again after one hit. The game can also be played without an Ice Queen or Ice King, or those knocked off can do squats in the ice prison and then rejoin the game.
• Setup variations: Instead of one snowman, two can be placed on each half of the court, or cones on the boxes can serve as targets. The hoops can also be placed differently, for example parallel to the sideline, the court can be enlarged, and more balls can be used.

These skills are promoted

• Accurate throwing at the snowman and at people on the opposing team
• Catching and blocking, because caught balls do not count as hits
• Tactical teamwork, because attacking and protecting the snowman and secret role are required at the same time

Organizational notes

• Materials: Medicine balls and hoops for the snowmen, boxes, hoops as ice prisons, cones, and softballs; the court is approximately the size of a volleyball court.
• Balls out of bounds: If the gym has bleachers, students who have forgotten their sports gear can return the balls to the game.

Further game ideas: a second snowman game, a snowball fight in the gym, and dodgeball variations as another elimination game.