Rules to Gaga Ball – Standard and Variations By Cari | Published on December 5, 2022September 5, 2024 Gaga, the safer alternative to Dodgeball, is fast-paced fun for everyone. Perfect for schools, churches, and playgrounds, kids (and adults) of all abilities and skill levels go gaga for this popular game. Since everyone participates, everyone can win! Easily install your own or head to a nearby Gaga pit. Learn the rules to Gaga Ball then get out there and play! Rules to Gaga Ball Starting a Game To begin, each player must have at least one hand touching the Gaga Pit wall One player throws the ball in the air, then let the ball bounce three times Everyone yells “Ga” on each of the three bounces – “Ga, Ga, Ga” signals the start of the game On the third bounce, the ball is in play Objective Just like Dodgeball, the last one standing wins. However, contrary to Dodgeball, the rules to Gaga Ball carefully consider safety. Let’s go over what’s allowed and not allowed: Do Use open hands to hit the ball Hit opponents with the ball below the waist (or knee in some versions) to eliminate them The first eliminated player now opens and closes the gate for other eliminated players for the remainder of the game (if the pit includes a gate) After touching the ball, the player must wait until the ball hits another player or wall to touch it again Keep the ball in bounds (in the pit) When one player has eliminated all other players, they win Don’t If a player does any of the following actions, they are eliminated and must exit the ball pit: Pick up the ball and throw it at a player Hit the ball with a closed fist Touch the ball two (or more) times in a row – known as a double touch, triple touch, etc. Hit the ball out of the Gaga pit without hitting another player first Kick the ball Variations The rules above are the standard rules to Gaga Ball; however, there are some existing variations. Feel free to play with any (or all) of the following rules or create your own changes with your players: The ball must hit below the knee (versus the waist) Double and/or triple touches are allowed Once there are only two or three players left, another ball is tossed into play – the same rules apply and any player touched by either ball is out Implement a 20-second countdown when play is too slow View our entire collection of Gaga Ball products and kits. Contact Us with questions or to get started on your next project.
Jaso ramsey October 12, 2023 at 8:19 am Do you have rules or an adapted game for kids in wheelchairs? Reply
tony October 12, 2023 at 10:18 am Jason, this is a great question. I’ll reach out to our supplier to see if they have any leads. If they do, I’ll post them here. In the meantime, if your group comes up with any fun variations for kids in wheelchairs, please share them here. I’m sure there are other groups that would benefit from this knowledge as well. Reply
Nancy Martin February 29, 2024 at 10:09 am How many children should be in the pit as the game begins? The max number?? Thanks, Nancy Martin Reply
tony March 1, 2024 at 9:02 am Hey Nancy, great question. There are no official rules to how many players can be in the octagon at the start of the game. If you’ve got too many players, you might need to have heats. Then whoever finishes at the top of heat one can face off against the top finishers of heat two. Another idea if you have too many players, and we may be a little biased here, would be to purchase another gaga ball pit:) It sounds to us like it would be a pretty good investment! Reply
Hattie Cinadr May 11, 2024 at 6:09 pm If the ball goes out and the child gets it can they get back in? Reply
tony May 13, 2024 at 10:33 am Hey Hattie, I don’t know if there’s an official rule on this, so house rules will probably prevail. My two cents is if a player goes to all the trouble of retrieving a stray ball, they should still be ‘in.’ Reply
Egg :D July 24, 2024 at 6:48 pm Can you use wooden shields and/or other foreign objects other than your hands to hit the ball? :3 Reply
tony July 25, 2024 at 10:03 am Egg, we’re certain that in the official rules, wooden shields and/or other foreign objects other than your hands’ are not allowed to hit the ball. However, if all parties can agree on rule modifications, before the match, then any agreed upon rule modifications would be legal for the duration of the match. It also bears pointing out that the important part of rules modifications is that they are agreed upon, BEFORE THE MATCH. And, as always, safety first. Reply
tony June 28, 2024 at 4:05 pm Oliver, You may have seen our newsletter where we talk about this very topic, but just in case here’s an excerpt: 🙌 Scooping 🙌 Scooping is a technique used to gain control of the ball and quickly send it flying towards an opponent. Here’s how it works: Positioning: Get low to the ground, keeping your knees bent and hands ready. Execution: Use a swift upward motion with your hand to scoop the ball off the ground, aiming to hit it towards another player with controlled force. Practice Tip: Practice scooping with a partner, focusing on accuracy and speed. 🌈 Rainbow 🌈 The Rainbow is more an advanced move that can add a twist to your gameplay! Here’s the deets: Positioning: Stand with a slight bend in your knees, ready to spring into action. Execution: Strike the ball with an upward and outward motion, giving it a high arc. The goal is to have the ball land in a different spot from where it was hit, confusing your opponents. Practice Tip: Work on your rainbow shots by targeting specific areas of the pit, refining your aim and control. Keep on GaGa -ing! Reply
Aidan August 23, 2024 at 4:24 pm What if the ball hits you on your head and then exits the ring? Reply
cory August 23, 2024 at 5:11 pm Hi Aidan, The users are only supposed to roll the ball on the ground. The only time the ball is in the air is during the initial underhand toss that starts the game. Reply
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