[Sports] Recreational games using a ball [Play]
Here are a variety of ball-based recreational activities.
We’ve gathered ball games that can be enjoyed by everyone—from children to seniors!
From sports aiming for the pinnacle at the Olympics or World Cup to simple time-killers, the variety of sports and games that use a “ball” is practically limitless.
Many people love ball games regardless of age or gender!
If you’re looking for “ball-based activities everyone can play together,” be sure to use this as a reference.
You might even use these games as inspiration to invent your own original new ball sport!
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[Sports] Recreation Games Using a Ball [Play] (21–30)
Blicker
The sport Billicker, which blends billiards and soccer, is actually becoming popular among young people.
You label soccer balls with numbers 1 through 9, like billiard balls.
Line them up on a field that mimics a billiard table and start the game.
Just like in billiards, sink the balls in order.
There are dedicated courts, and you can play both indoors and outdoors! Stepping into a giant billiard table and kicking the balls makes you feel like you’ve entered a toy world—it’s exhilarating.
Ball-collecting competition
A simple game with one rule: the team that dribbles and carries the most balls wins.
Even if there are one or two players with soccer experience, it’s surprisingly hard to do well, so don’t hesitate even if you’re a beginner—keep carrying those balls and aim for victory.
Pass-Pass Tag
“Pass-Pass Tag” is a game that combines dodgeball and tag! Split into chasers and runners; the chasers catch opponents by tagging them with the ball.
There’s a rule that a chaser holding the ball can only take one step, so they naturally learn teamwork by passing among themselves.
Since you don’t throw the ball to hit others like in dodgeball, even kids who are afraid of the ball can join with confidence.
Adding a time limit makes the battle even more exciting!
A game using a stick and a ball
It’s a game that uses two sticks and several balls.
Everyone sits in a circle, places a ball on top of the two sticks, and passes the sticks—without dropping the ball—to the person next to them.
It’s simple, but if you open or close the sticks too much, the ball will fall, so you need to be careful while keeping a good rhythm.
Start with one ball, and as everyone gets used to it, add more balls one by one to make it more exciting.
You can get everything at a 100-yen shop, so it’s easy to enjoy.
Breakthrough-style ball-carrying game
A ball-carrying game where you dodge defenders blocking your path, place a ball, then pick up a different ball and return.
You set different-colored balls at the start and at the turnaround point, and the game doesn’t end until all the balls have been swapped.
Prepare two defenders, who may face either direction and block however they like.
Conversely, attackers aim to slip past when a defender is turned the other way or busy blocking someone else, and head for the goal.
When you’re the last one left, you’ll get targeted intensely, so teamwork is essential.
Bomb game
This is the “Bomb Game,” a simple game that kids and adults alike can enjoy.
Everyone sits in a circle and passes a ball to the next person in rhythm with the music—just that.
But suddenly, the music stops.
Whoever is holding the ball when it stops is out—the bomb has exploded! Prepare a penalty, like doing an impression, for anyone who gets out three times.
If you play trendy songs or music everyone likes, people will focus on the music too, which makes it even more exciting.
Strikeout
Struck Out is a game where you throw a ball at a board with numbers on it.
When the section of the board you hit pops out, you earn the number of points written there.
The most common type uses a 3×3 grid of nine targets, and you often see celebrities try it on TV shows! You might think you need a special board to play, but you can easily make one yourself using cardboard or wooden boards.
Even if you don’t make a version where the numbers pop out, you can play endlessly by simply awarding points whenever the ball hits a numbered section.
