For this game, you need a volleyball-sized Nerf ball. Have your students stand in a wide circle with two people in the middle.
One person in the middle is the President, the other is the Bodyguard. The people in the circle have the Nerf ball, and throw it at the President. The bodyguard may do anything to block the ball with his body: jump, squat, dive, etc. The ball may NEVER touch the President. If the ball touches the President at any time, the person who threw the ball (or the last person to touch it) then becomes the Bodyguard, the Bodyguard becomes the President, and the President goes back into the circle.
What makes this exciting is that from the moment the President is hit, the new President is vulnerable because the transition is instantaneous. The new bodyguard must be fast at getting into the circle to defend him or her. This sometimes makes presidential turnover pretty quick, but it’s exciting.
This game is EXHAUSTING, especially if the people in the middle are good. Be ready to sweat if you play. One strategy for the “shooters” is to pass the ball around the circle and keep it moving to wear the people in the middle down. They’ll eventually tire and the President will get hit. As the kids get more experience at the game, they will develop strategies and tactics, and will thoroughly enjoy themselves.
Added by J. Hart
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.
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Lee
June 24, 2011 at 12:00 amThis is a HIT everytime we play it!!! My kids LOVE this game! I like it because it only costs me the price of one dodgeball to play. My students love the option of using multiple balls at one time.
J. Walker
January 18, 2012 at 12:00 amI’m a youth leader that works with middle schoolers. Hard to find games that both the girls and guys like, but this was enjoyed by everyone.
Chris
November 4, 2014 at 12:00 amThis is a favorite for our students, play it once a quarter at least. In many ways this has become our "if the original game is a flop lets play this instead and salvage the night"
Heidi
March 19, 2015 at 12:00 amA super fun, fast paced game that will leave everyone breathless!
anthony flynn
October 15, 2016 at 12:00 amlol
cameron
November 13, 2016 at 12:00 amlol
cameron
November 13, 2016 at 12:00 amlol
blaine
November 18, 2016 at 12:00 ama good game
Rob
March 1, 2017 at 12:00 amGreat game love the energy. Have to have a couple circles going. Freeball is still the best game out there. Guys and girls love it.
Dani
May 19, 2017 at 12:00 amIts a pretty good game
austin
April 26, 2018 at 12:00 amgood game
Anonymous
June 17, 2020 at 1:02 pmEWWWWW