Basic version:
All participants stand in a circle. One person has the ball. They throw the ball to anyone they like. The person who catches the ball says their own name out loud. The next person chooses someone else, throws the ball to them and does not say their name yet, as they do not know it. The person who catches the ball says their own name again.
Example:
Person A throws the ball to someone → “I’m Marc.”
Marc throws the ball on → “I’m Sarah.”
Sarah throws it on → “I’m Thomas.”
Variations: When catching the ball, the person says their name whilst performing a simple movement (e.g. a squat, lifting a knee, turning round). The group repeats the name and movement.
When the ball is touched, everyone says their name and a piece of additional information about themselves (e.g. a hobby – ‘I’m Marc and I like playing football’ or, more briefly, ‘Marc, hobby: football’). The group tries to remember the names and details.
Once everyone’s names have been called out once, the person with the ball tries to say the name of the person who is going to catch it (before throwing the ball).
Sarah! → Pass to Sarah.
If the name is correct, Sarah catches the ball and carries on (or a correction is made and the correct name is given first).
Once the children have learnt the names, a second ball can be introduced to the game to boost concentration and communication.
Variation: The person who receives the ball must immediately call out the name of the next player and pass the ball on. If anyone hesitates or calls out the wrong name, they must carry out an extra task (e.g. 3 squats, 3 jumping jacks, run once round the group). The sports director can integrate other additional tasks (e.g. clap your hands once on whistle). The sports director is the referee for all variants and interrupts the game if necessary.
Variation:
After a few rounds, you can adapt the exercise by setting a passing order: everyone gets the ball once. The group tries to memorise the order. The ball is then passed around in the same order again – without anyone saying the names. You could then time the exercise and try to complete the round faster and faster.
