Game: Tic-Tac-Toe

Who doesn’t love to play this simple game?! Try this version as a warm-up to your practice – it encompasses dribbling, shooting, passing, and strategizing!

Begin by splitting the players into two teams. Have one team wear one colour jersey and the other team another colour. Designate one team to be X’s and the other O’s. Get them to stand in a line, on opposite sides of the gym. In the middle of the gym should be a tic-tac-toe board made out of 9 hula hoops or painters tape.

The first player in each line will dribble to a designated basket (can be the same one, or one on each end). If the player makes the basket, they are to pass the ball to the next player on their team and then stand in a square on the tic-tac-toe board. If they are team “X”, they are to cross their arms making the shape of the “X”. If they are team “O”, they are to stand with their hands over head making an “O” shape. If the player does not make the shot, they are to pass the ball to the next person in line and join at the end of the line.

Once a team makes a line of “X” or “O” they are awarded a point, and the board is cleared (all the players return to their respective lines). The game is over once one team gets 5 points.

Watch the video below for further demonstration!

DESCRIPTION	Split players into two teams – one team “X”, one team “O”, each with a different colour jersey on. Create a tic-tac-toe board in the middle of the gym. The first player in each line will dribble the ball to a designated basket and attempt to score. If they score they are to pass the ball to the next player on their team, claim a spot on the board, and put their arms in either an “X” or an “O”. If they missed the basket, they are to pass the ball to the next player and join at the end of the line. A point in rewarded when a team makes a line on the board. Players are to clear the board and join their teammates and continue to make another line. The game ends when a team receives 5 points.
SKILL FOCUS	Dribbling, Shooting, Passing, Agility
AGE (STAGE)	6+ (FUNdamental)
PLAYERS	6+
EQUIPMENT	Painters tape or 9 hula hoops, coloured jerseys, 2 basketballs
VARIATION:	If this is too difficult for your players, take away the shooting and dribbling components and have them run and touch the wall under the basket, then to a spot on board. As soon as they are in a spot on the board the next player on their team would run.

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