![[For Junior High Students] A Summary of Sports You Can Do in the Gym](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/H_nB-ziHUQM/maxresdefault.webp)
[For Junior High Students] A Summary of Sports You Can Do in the Gym
Everyone, do you like exercise? Many of you are probably already working hard in school clubs and the like.
To help you get moving even more and build greater stamina, this article rounds up sports that middle schoolers can play in a gymnasium! We’ve included some classics, as well as newer sports whose rules might not be obvious from the name but have been growing in popularity in recent years.
Be sure to make use of these for PE class or recreational activities!
[For Junior High School Students] Sports You Can Play in the Gym (1–10)
Port ball
Portball is a sport similar to basketball, played with teams of seven.
The biggest differences from basketball are that the “goal” is a person, and there is always someone positioned in front of the goal to block.
Except for the goal role and the blocker role, players pass the ball to their team’s goal person to score.
If the goal person successfully catches the ball, the team earns a point.
The feel of the game is a bit different from basketball, so even those without basketball experience should definitely give it a try!
Kabaddi
Kabaddi is a sport born in India that’s similar to a game of tag.
Teams of seven take turns attacking and defending.
When it’s their turn to attack, one player from the attacking team enters the opponent’s court and tries to touch members of the opposing team.
If the attacker manages to touch opponents and safely return to their own court, their team scores as many points as the number of players touched.
Even if they make a touch, no points are awarded if they are caught by the defenders.
If the attacker is caught, the opposing team earns one point, and the caught player must leave the court until their own team scores to bring them back.
The most distinctive rule of this sport is that the attacker must continuously chant “kabaddi, kabaddi” during the raid.
Give this unique sport a try and have fun!
Badminton
Badminton is a sport you can enjoy with everyone in the gym—let me share its appeal! Beyond the refreshing thrill of rallying the shuttle, you can also savor the strategic mind games.
Since there’s no wind to affect play, your skills improve rapidly.
Thanks to the strong performances of Japanese players, it’s getting more attention than ever! It’s perfect for having a great time with friends and also highly effective for building fitness.
The longer the rallies last, the more it helps you overcome a lack of exercise.
Badminton is a sport that lets you rediscover the joy of moving your body.
Come on—let’s all give it a try!
volleyball
Volleyball is gaining popularity thanks to the excitement around the Japanese national team and the influence of the manga Haikyuu!!.
There are six-player and nine-player versions, with slightly different rules.
However, the basic rule—don’t let the ball drop on your side of the court—remains the same.
You start by serving the ball into the opponent’s court, then connect passes with a set, and return the ball over the net.
You can send the ball back with a powerful attack that the opponent can’t return, build a wall to block that attack, or read the angles of the attacking shots—there are so many exciting elements! Try enjoying it while cooperating as a team!
Tag rugby
When you think of sports you can play in a gym, basketball and volleyball probably come to mind.
But have you heard of tag rugby? It’s a newer sport that incorporates elements of rugby while reducing the strain on the body.
Players try to pull tags attached to a belt, so there’s no heavy contact—making it safe! Its appeal lies in using both mind and body: you devise strategies and showcase teamwork.
You can play it indoors even on rainy days, so you don’t have to worry about the weather.
Why not try introducing it in PE classes or club activities? You’re sure to discover something new!
Dodgebee
If you’re looking for a sport everyone can enjoy together in the gym, I recommend Dodgebee! It’s a new game that combines dodgeball and frisbee, and it’s been skyrocketing in popularity lately.
The disc is made of soft material, so it doesn’t hurt when you get hit—that’s the key point.
Because everyone can play without worry, it’s perfect for PE classes and after-school activities.
The rules are simple, so you’ll get hooked right away.
It naturally builds sportsmanship too, and it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family! You might even make new discoveries while staying active.
basketball
Basketball is hugely popular in Japan as well, with events like the B.League.
Many of you might already be playing it in your school clubs.
It’s played by teams of five, and the team that scores the most points within the time limit by making lots of baskets wins.
One of the fun aspects of basketball is that the points change depending on where you shoot from—1, 2, or 3 points.
To get the ball to the hoop, players use passes and dribbling within the team.
If you form teams within your class and play, it can also strengthen your class’s sense of unity!