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1-4Cooperation10-15 min
🏰

Castles (Coach Odom’s Exact Procedure)

🏰 Castles (Coach Odom’s Exact Procedure)

1-4
Coach Odom’s 1st-4th main activity using gymnastics mats and various balls to create "castles" and active play scenarios. Develops locomotor skills, spatial awareness, balance, and cooperative play in a dynamic environment.
TEKS: K-4.1A (locomotor/dodging), K-4.4A (safe participation)

Coach Odom’s Exact Procedure:

  1. 2 teams line up at opposite walls/gym ends.
  2. 10 buckets set in 4-3-2-1 pyramid (bottom row does not count for scoring).
  3. Poly spot “moat” 5-6 feet in front — NO guarding inside the moat.
  4. Throw soft balls to knock down opponent’s castle.
  5. End of round: all balls to center, rebuild castles, repeat.
  6. Clean up together at end of class.

Pro Tip from Coach Odom: “The game moves fast when teams communicate and make clean catches.”

5E:

  • 🔥 Engage: “Who can knock down the castle without stepping in the moat?”
  • 🔍 Explore: Free throws and defense practice with emphasis on moat rule.
  • 📖 Explain: Exact setup, no moat guarding, communication, clean up responsibility. TEKS & safety.
  • 🚀 Elaborate: Full rounds, strategy talk, rebuild speed challenges.
  • ✅ Evaluate: Safe play, communication, rule following, cleanup.