Arrange the ball-carrying relay! A roundup of surprising and fun ideas
The “ball-carrying relay” is a popular activity at all kinds of events, such as sports days, mixers, and fun parties.
The basic way to play is simple: everyone takes turns carrying the ball without dropping it, and the team that reaches the goal first wins!
With its simple rules, it’s a game that both kids and adults can enjoy, and it’s easy to customize.
In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of ways to tweak the ball-carrying relay.
We’ve also included fun ideas that combine it with other games, so if you’re looking for events participants haven’t experienced before, be sure to check them out.
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Arrange the ball-carrying relay! A roundup of surprising and fun ideas (11–20)
Racquetball Balancing Relay
As an event that uses equipment, we also recommend a racket-and-ball relay.
In this activity, participants place a ball on a tennis or badminton racket and run straight to the finish line.
The fun part is that while you want to run fast, if you go too quickly you’ll drop the ball.
We hope participants enjoy not only the race itself but also the process of trying repeatedly and figuring out how to carry the ball well.
There’s no fixed type of ball, but something light and not too large works best.
Giant Ball Toss Relay
Jumbo beach balls are perfect for sports days and events! In this video, they’re competing to see how many times they can toss the ball, but you can also adapt it into a game where you carry the ball to a goal.
Because the ball is so large, it looks fun and is easy to move.
The best part is that everyone can play together—from kids to adults.
With a little creativity, you can come up with all kinds of games, so it’s fun to brainstorm ideas and design your own.
Moving your body naturally brings out smiles.
Be sure to try using a jumbo beach ball at your next event!
Aim for the goal while moving multiple balls!
Move multiple balls to reach the goal! Here’s a variation of a ball-carry relay that’s perfect for building endurance.
Split into teams, and one by one, transfer all the balls into the arranged hoops.
You can adjust the number and layout of the hoops to match your team size, and try different goal positions and shapes for extra fun.
It’s also great for boosting team spirit.
Give it a try and creatively incorporate it into your sports day events!
1v1 ball carrying
Enjoyable even 1-on-1! Let us introduce an adapted ball-carrying game called “Flag Football.” In this sport, you carry the ball into the opponent’s territory.
The defense stops the advancing offense by pulling the flag attached to the ball carrier or by driving them out of bounds.
A standard game lasts about 20 minutes, but it’s also a good idea to adjust the duration based on the number of players.
The rules are simple, so everyone from kids to adults can enjoy it.
Try adapting it as an event for your sports day, too!
Rag-Wiping Ball Carry Relay
Turn floor-wiping into a game! Here’s a fun idea: make a ball-carrying relay using the floor-wiping style.
Set up a course with cones, and carry a ball while “wiping” your way around.
The first to complete two laps wins.
It works as an individual race, but team relays—like groups of three with the number of balls matching the team size—are also recommended.
It helps build lower-body strength and fosters teamwork.
Adults can enjoy it too, so try adapting it as an event for your sports day.
Flappy Ball Carrying Relay
Here’s an arranged version of a relay where you carry a ball using a uchiwa fan.
The rules are very simple: you fan a colored ball with the uchiwa and carry it to the goal.
Because colored balls are light, they don’t always go in the direction you expect.
It helps build concentration, and it’s fun for the whole team to celebrate when the ball makes it into the goal.
You might also try mixing in balls other than colored balls.
It’s a great idea to get creative and incorporate it into your sports day events!
Arrange the Ball-Carrying Relay! A One-Stop Showcase of Surprising & Fun Ideas (21–30)
Back-carry ball relay
The back-to-back ball relay is a race where you carry a ball in an unusual way.
Two people pair up, stand back to back, and transport a ball held between their backs.
Since there are hardly any sports or events where you carry a ball on your back, it offers a unique experience.
The partners’ height difference and the size of the ball are important factors, so adjust them to make carrying easier.
It’s also important to decide who will lead when moving forward.
Be sure to discuss and plan before you start.