Open recreation offers unique opportunity

By: Greg Bulger

NEXT may be all about meeting new people and learning how to improve your lodge, but there’s no reason that we can’t have fun while we’re at it! During the scheduled recreation times, there will be a number of activities and games set up for you to enjoy with friends new and old. Some of the more unique ones are:

9 Square in the Air: Many of you may have played the classic games 4 Square or 9 Square before, but 9 Square in the Air is a whole new experience. This game is for 9 players and is a cross between normal 9 Square and volleyball, with the squares being separated by an overhead cage-like structure. The “King” – or center player – starts the game by hitting the ball like a volleyball into any other square. Players then receive the ball and hit it to another player’s square.

If you hit the ball out of the playing area, or if the ball falls in your square, you are out of the game. Other rules are that hitting the ball twice at once, or touching the game structure, also result in the player being out. When a player is out, they leave their square and go to the end of the line. Other players then move up to fill in the empty space.

Spike Ball: This is another game that has many similarities to volleyball. Played with two teams of two, players try to bounce the ball off of a round center net in such a way that the opposing team is unable to return it. Play starts with everyone but the receiver standing 6 feet from the net. Once the ball is served, players can move anywhere they would like. Possession changes when the ball hits the net, and each team has 3 volleyball hits per possession, alternating players. Serves alternate between players on opposite teams, and you may use any part of your body to hit the ball.

Points are scored when a team is unable to return the ball to the net in three hits, and also when a team member hits the ball twice in a row or holds it, or the ball hits the net more than once. The game is played using rally scoring, and the first team to 21 wins. Official rules can be found at usaspikeball.com/official-rules.

Giant Water Pong: This game takes traditional water pong to the next level. Like typical water pong, the goal is to get rid of the opponent’s cups; however, in this case, the cups are garbage cans, and the ping pong ball is replaced with a volleyball. The rules remain the same, with each team having ten cans, and each player gets one throw per round. If both team members put the ball into two different cans, they each get an additional throw, and if both team members put the ball into the same can, they get an additional throw and another can is removed. If the ball is bounced into the can, that can and an additional can are removed.

Additional rules are that teams can re-rack the cans once, which allows the opponent’s cans to be rearranged in any formation. Rebuttal throws are also allowed, where a team whose last can has been eliminated can keep the can in play by throwing the ball into any of the opponent’s trash cans. Rebuttals can be stopped by either bouncing the ball into the last remaining can, or by both team members getting the ball into the last can. Finally, if one team member hits three cans in a row, he is said to be “heating up” and can continue to throw until he misses a shot.

Hungry Hungry Hippos: In this activity, Scouts can make the classic board game come to life. Players separate into teams of two, with one player laying on a furniture dolly holding a basket, and the other player pushing and pulling him by the legs. The goal is for teams to collect as many balls as possible, with the player on the dolly attempting to collect the balls under their basket. Players on the dollies must wear helmets, and only those players may collect balls. Only baskets can be used to collect balls, no hands! Finally, players may only move straight forward and straight back, although the angle can be changed between pushes.

Human Foosball: Another table game brought to life, this activity is for 12 players and is played like tabletop foosball. Players will be assigned to ‘pipes’ in the traditional format, and must always keep their hands on the pipe. Players can only move up and down the pipe and the ball can only be kicked. Players may not kick other players, and excessively kicking the ball is also forbidden. When the ball leaves the playing area, or when a goal is scored, the ball is put back into play in the center by the referee. The first team to 11 goals wins!

Scatter Ball: In this game, dodgeball receives a unique twist. To start the game, equal teams line up on opposite sides of the field, with only two balls placed in the center. When a player picks up the ball, they have three steps to throw it, or else they must drop the ball and leave it there. If the player hits another player with the ball, and they do not catch it, the player must sit down where they are hit. However, if the player who knocked you out of the game is hit, you are then able to return to the game. If a ball is thrown and caught by an opposing player, the thrower is out, but again can rejoin if the catcher is later called out. Players must stay within the playing area, but there are no team boundaries. Hitting someone in the head is prohibited and players who do so will be called out. Players who are out cannot be hit with the ball or assist in catching any balls. The last team standing wins the game!

All of these activities and more will be available at Walnut Grove Field during the open activity times today and for the rest of the conference. During open sports times, basketball and volleyball will be open at the Wildermuth Intramural Center. Be sure to check out both areas, and don’t hesitate to join in the fun!