Team Sports: Flickerball Unit Plan

Miguel Saldana
7th-8th grade

History
Flickerball was originated in 1949 at the University of Illinois but was
not played competitively until October of 1951 at Davidson College.
The game derived from touch-football. Players were getting injured
often playing touch-football which was then gradually modified and
started shaping the game of flickerball. Today, Davidson College still
has the game played in intramural leagues along with several other
campuses. It is a combination of basketball and football and is played
with a regulation football on a field that is 80 yards by 30 yards. The
object of the game is to score a goal with an overhand pass thrown from
at least 15 yards away. We have modified it to where it can be played
indoors on a 30X60 foot court with 5 players on each team using a
soft/foam ball.
Useful Facts:

Flickerball was first named inter-fraternity tag football.

The term flickerball came into use in 1954.
A newer form of flickerball is called Thunderdome.
Campuses that play flickerball have their own modifications to the
game.

Author: Michael Saldana

Citation: Mannenbach, Steve. Flickerball
Davidson Encyclopedia December 2003
http://sites.davidson.edu/archives/encyclopedia/flickerball/

Flickerball Three-Week Unit Outline

Psychomotor Domain Unit and Goals
1. The students will perform proper fundamental movements of overhand
throwing/passing a soft/foam ball.
2. The students will perform proper high/low catching at various speeds of the ball.
3. The students will enhance cardiovascular fitness to apply all concepts of flickerball.
4. The students will coordinate movements with team mates to accomplish team tasks
and goals.
Cognitive Domain Unit and Goals
1. The students will comprehend how and when flickerball was created.
2. The students will recognize both proper and improper form of overhand
throwing/passing and high/low catching.
3. The students will identify team strategies to achieve team goals.
Affective Domain Unit and Goals
1. The students will value the importance of team work and apply them to daily life.
2. The students will embrace individual responsibilities that lead to team success.
3. The students will demonstrate respect and trust to all their peers.

THREE WEEK UNIT OUTLINE FOCUSED ON SKILL BUILDING PORTION OF

DAILY LESSON
WEEK

MONDAY

FITNESS: Jogging with

partners around the
field/gym
SKILL: -Introduce history
of flickerball
-Introduce rules of
flickerball
-Introduce proper and
improper form of overhand
throwing
APPLICATION: Mass
group overhand throwing
without a ball

TUESDAY

FITNESS: Jump rope

routine with partners
SKILL: -Review proper
overhand throwing
-Review improper form
-Introduce high two hand
catching
APPLICATION: -Group
practice of overhand
throwing and high
catching at a variety of
distances without a ball

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FITNESS: Muscular
strength and endurance
circuit training

FITNESS: Muscular
strength and endurance
circuit training

SKILL: -Review proper

throwing and high
catching
-Introduce low catching

SKILL: -Introduce
baseball/softball
movements
-proper throwing and
high/low catching

APPLICATION: -Group
practice of overhand
throwing and high/low
catching at several
distance using a soft/foam
ball.

APPLICATION:
Stations with different
tasks movements such as
pivoting, shuffling,
grapevine, jumping.

F
c

S
e
t
a
a

A
i
a
w

FITNESS: Group aerobic

exercises

FITNESS: Partner relays

using a soft/foam ball

SKILL: -Review
previously learned skills
and movements
-Introduce throwing
catching in dynamic
situation

SKILL: Review
previously learned skills
and movements in
dynamic situation.

APPLICATION: Small
group throwing/catching in
dynamic environment
without a ball

FITNESS: Group aerobic

exercises
SKILL: -Introduce angle
catching.
APPLICATION: Small
group angle catching and
throwing.

APPLICATION: Small
group throwing/catching in
a dynamic environment
with a soft/foam ball

FITNESS: Shuffle
throwing and catching
with partner using
soft/foam ball
SKILL: -Review angle
catching and throwing
-Introduce basic defensive
strategies
APPLICATION: Small
group defensive skills and
movements

FITNESS: Group
muscular strength and
endurance training.

FITNESS: Throwing
relays with team using
soft/foam ball

SKILL: -Introduce
accurate throwing
-Review proper throwing
skills to enhance accuracy

SKILL: Introduce angle

throwing and shufflethrow technique

APPLICATION: Small
groups throwing at targets
at different distances

FITNESS: Throwing
relays with team using
soft/foam ball
SKILL: -Review rules of
flickerball
-Practice flickerball in a
speed walk

Flickerball- Throwing and Catching Skills

A
a
i

-Skill application
assessments

Date____________

Flickerball

S
2

-End of Unit Flickerball

tournament

APPLICATION: Teams
will apply all skills and
movements to speed walk
flickerball

Name_________________________ Class________________

To the student: Practice each task as described.

APPLICATION: Small
group angle throwing and
shuffle throwing using a
soft/foam ball

F
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Throwing and Catching/Goal Orientation:

1. When throwing, step with non-dominate foot (Facing your target), keep your weight on
your back leg, throwing elbow up and hand above your head.
2. Switch your weight to your front foot, turn your hips, bring your throwing arm forward
and be sure you follow through (hand pointed at your target).
3. When throwing, keep your eye on your partner or target and call out your partners name
before ball is released so that there are no injuries and to assure they are ready to catch.
4. When catching, make sure to have soft hand and meet the ball out in front of you, do not
let it hit your chest. Keep your eyes on the ball while in flight.
5. If the throw is above your chest, catch the ball using both hands with your palms up and
thumbs together (you should be forming a triangle). For low throws make sure to put
your pinkies together (forming a smaller triangle).
Cues: Follow through

Results: In Progress (IP)

High catch-thumbs together

Fair (FR)

Low catch-pinkies together

Good (G)

Step to your target

Wow (W)

Eyes on the ball

Tasks

Quantity

1. Without a ball practice the

proper throwing form described
above

2x10

2. One partner will be telling the

other High throw or Low
throw and the active partner will
practice the proper catching form.

2x10

3. One Partner will be the

designated thrower and one will be
the designated catcher, you will be
evaluating each other

2x20

4. Switch positions and perform #3

again.

2x20

5. Pair up with another group and

preform the throwing and catching
skills together, giving each other
feedback.

1x40

Results Set 1

Results Set 2

Teacher Feedback

Evaluator Comments:

New Skills and Thrills

To the student: Find a buddy and practice each task as described. Help each other by
reinforcing proper techniques and hints provided. Perform the skill until you get a good feel for
the skill. Try the skills listed in any order. Do your best and encourage and coach your partner
to proper execution. Remember that building new skills takes time and practice, learning new
skills builds confidence, having skills provides opportunities for being active. Hints are in
italics.

1.

Laying down throw and catch: While lying down face up, throw the foam ball in the
air in front of you and catch it on the way down. Make sure to catch it out in front of you
and not to close to your body.
2. Shuffle Throws: Partners will start facing each other, about 5 feet away from one
another. They will began to shuffle (at a pace that satisfies them both) while performing
overhand throws and catching the proper way. Rhythm is the key, 1-2-3-throw, 1-2-3throw
3. Shuffle 2-Ball Throws: Same as above, but perform shuffle throws with 2 balls. One
partner will never have both balls at the same time, you will be throwing and catching at
the same time. Rhythm and communication is KEY.
4. Wall ball catch and throw: With your partner take turns throwing your foam ball
against the wall and catching it off the wall. Make sure to throw with different forces and
at different spots against the wall. The harder the throw the faster the ball comes back, if
you throw it off the wall high you will get bounces before it reaches you, if too low you
will receive a rolling ball.
5. Pop Flies: Standing, throw the ball straight up and catch it on the way down. You can
catch it thumbs together over your head or pinkies together under your chest. Practice
first with small throws before attempting higher ones.
6. Pop flies spin/behind the back catch: Same as above but as the ball is coming down
attempt to catch it with your hands behind your back or after you have completed a spin.
If you've got it down try doing a spin AND catching it behind your back.

Author: Christian Velazquez

IRAT Flickerball
Spring 2015, 3315
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. Flicker ball is a game that MOSTLY involves catching, passing or throwing and______?
A. Jumping
B. Running
C. Walking
D. Shooting

2. How far away must a defender be from the person with the ball?
A. 5 feet
B. 1 yard
C. 1 foot
D. 3 feet
3. If an offensive player drops the ball, what is the result?
A. Fumble
B. Spot for the offensive team
C. 2nd down
D. Do-Over
4. Baskets are worth how many points?
A. 3 points
B. 6 points
C. 1 point
D. 2 points
5. After a basket is scored by offensive team, the defense begins play by throwing the ball from
___________.
A. Where the basket was last scored
B. Foul ball
C. 2nd down
D. Do-Over
6. The defensive coverage is expected to be a _____________defense.
A. Tight coverage
B. Man to- Man
C. Cover 2 zone
D. Cover 3 zone

7. A player committing a penalty will sit out for how long?

A. 1 minute, 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 30 seconds
D. There is no sit out rule; player will stay in game.
8. How many points are scored if the offensive player hit the top or around the basket without go
inside the basket?
A. 2 points
B. 3 points

C. 1 point
D. 4 points
9. An offensive player jumps forward from the blue line and throws the ball inside the basket,
but when he lands, his feet are out of bounds. What is the result?
A. The shot is good, 2 points are awarded
B. The shot is no good, 0 points are awarded
C. The shot is good, 1 point is awarded
D. The shot is good, 3 points are awarded
10. The rule in flicker ball, states There is no contact allowed by the defensive player and must
maintain arms length from the offensive player during the game. If violated, how many
points is given to the offense?
A. 2 points
B. 3 points
C. 4 point
D. 1 points
Bonus Question:
11. Flicker ball is a game that involves running, catching, throwing and
passing by the offensive team?
A. False
B. True

Answers:
1. Running
2. 1 foot
3. Spot for the offensive team last scored
4. 3 point
5. Where the basket was last scored

6. Man to man
7. There is no penalty committed during the game, defensive player will
stay in the game and the offensive team is awarded 1 point
8. 2 points
9. The shot is no good, 0 points are awarded
10. 1 point
11. True

Author: Conrad Irigoyen