Gaga is a form of dodgeball played in a special area called a “pit.” The goal of this action-packed game is to eliminate your opponents by any means necessary, including avoiding, striking, sprinting, and jumping. Players take turns hitting each other with a ball, and the loser is the one who is hit below the knee.
You can play it with a bunch of random people, in teams, or even just against another human being. Depending on the setting, the rules, the ball used, the playing surface, and the size of the pits themselves can all be rather diverse. It is a fantastic game to be included in your high school. A gaga team is not only fun but can be a good gateway to exercise.
Why Should Your High School Have a Gaga Team?
The Gaga game is growing in popularity all over the world. If your school has a field or even an indoor sport facility, it can be turned into a durable gaga pit that will last. Here are some reasons why your high school has to have a gaga team.
1. It’s Not as Physical as Other Games
Because it necessitates so little in the way of actual athletic ability, anyone can give it a go. Students who aren’t naturally athletic but would nevertheless desire to compete in sports can benefit from this.
The game is exciting, humorous, and collaborative. By assigning team members, you have the freedom to include pupils from a wide range of backgrounds. It’s acceptable for the jocks to play with the geeks. There’s no need for superhuman power, and the rules make it such that anyone can win.
2. It’s an Effective Exercise
Gaga ball is a fun and effective workout that doesn’t necessitate any special athletic ability. Physical activity is important for teenagers. If you’re looking for a fun way to get some fitness, joining a gaga ball team might be the thing for you.
You need quick reflexes and quick thinking to succeed in this sport. A full-body workout is achieved by combining upper- and lower-body movements.
3. Playable by Children of All Ages
In gaga ball, there are no strict regulations regarding the formation of teams. Any number of kids of varying ages and gender can form a single squad.
Because of the low threshold for entry in terms of physical prowess, children and adults alike can enjoy this game together without prejudice.
4. It is a Team Game
It’s possible to play on a team. At the start of the game, split into two teams and play as usual. The referee needs to know which players are on which team.
There is no major change to the regulations; rather, there are only minor tweaks. Before attempting a hit, members of your team can pass the ball around to set each other up. The losing team is the one whose players are eliminated one by one.
Things You Should Consider To Play the Game
1. Gaga Ball Pit
In order to have a trouble-free time in the gaga ball pit, there are some conditions that must be met. Games made with do-it-yourself kits are OK for the backyard, but they aren’t safe or appropriate for use in a public setting like a park, school, or camp.
You should spend your money on a high-quality gaga ball pit that can withstand heavy use and last for many years.
The following are some of the necessities for a hysterical ball pit.
2. Outdoor VS Indoor Pit
You may find gaga ball pits in a range of sizes. Determine first if you prefer an indoor or outdoor one. Varieties vary from one another.
Pits for the outdoors that are crafted from high-quality composite lumber are more expensive. Standard grade wood is used for non-structural purposes, however it can’t be used for any pits that are more than eight feet in length.
Outdoor pits should have perforated bottoms to facilitate the rapid drainage of any accumulated water.
The size of indoor pits should allow participants to freely roam about the area. Setting up a miniature indoor pit in a confined area can restrict player movement.
3. Dimensions of the Pit
There needs to be enough room in the pit for a respectable number of players to sit down and play without feeling cramped.
You can still enjoy the game without digging a massive hole. If you have a large squad, you may want to consider purchasing two pits.
A 15-foot diameter pit can accommodate 8-12 children, a 20-foot diameter pit can accommodate 25-30 children, and a 26-foot diameter pit can accommodate 40+ children.
4. The Pit’s Shape
The most common shapes for Gaga ball pits are octagons and hexagons. Octagonal depressions are typically more large. This is a must only if you intend to assemble a sizable group.
A hexagonal pit is a good investment if your crew is small.
A range of 30–44 inches in depth is possible for the pit. Both the form and the height are completely up to you.
The Choice Between Inflatable or Permanent
Depending on available room and the frequency of use, you can choose between a permanent and an inflatable gaga ball pit.
If you’re planning on installing a permanent outdoor pit, invest in high-quality supplies. Outdoor permanent pits are vulnerable to the elements and extensive deterioration. Only use high-quality materials to ensure your pit will last for many years.
After a game of gaga ball is over, the pit can be rolled up and brought inside. These are portable and easy to set up in any location. Most commonly found are 20-foot versions, which can accommodate 20 to 25 youngsters.
Doors can be made to bend in permanent ball pits to make it easier for people to enter and exit. These need to be put in the right places, far from the roadways.
2. Bottom Surface
The ball pit’s floor should be flat and easy to navigate so that kids and adults alike can have fun. Paving materials like concrete and asphalt are highly recommended due to their durability and low maintenance requirements.
The likes of grass and sand are also available. These, however, require more upkeep and are prone to becoming dirty. Gamers shouldn’t play gaga ball in muddy pits where they might slip and fall.
Other common materials for pit floors are rubber, stone dust, wood chips, and soft plastic. Wood chips can be used not only inside the area but also outside to make sure it stays in place.
You can use the ground, but only if it’s flat and free of obstacles like puddles and rocks.
3. Materials to Prepare the Pit
In a gaga ball pit, the walls and floor can be constructed from rubber, plastic, or wood. The walls may be rearranged to fit your needs and are simple to put together on your own.
Choose high-quality components that will endure a long time and aid your gameplay. Anything that increases the wall’s ability to ricochet the ball is desirable.
4. What Kind of Ball Is Utilized
This game calls for a fluffy, feathery ball. Of course, you could also use basketballs or soccer balls. A piece of equipment with a diameter between eight and ten inches will do.
The game begins with just one ball, but the pace can be quickened by adding additional balls in the form of two or three.
5. Know the Grounds for Play
The regulations of Gaga Ball are quite similar to those of Dodge Ball, with a few key exceptions. Here are some of them:
For the first few seconds of the game, everyone stands in the center of the pit, palms facing outward. The game begins with a person tossing the ball into the air; after it bounces twice and everyone goes gaga, play resumes.
The ball must be touched for each player to receive it. There is to be no holding. In order to catch the ball, it must be in motion.
If the ball touches a player below the knees or waist, that player is automatically removed from further participation in the game.
A player is out if they were the last to touch the ball before it was grabbed in midair. However, the individual who catches the ball is out of the game if it first bounces off a wall.
Whoever remains after everyone else has been removed is declared the victor.
6. The Game’s Nature
In contrast to other sports, Gaga Ball does not involve any physical contact. For its broad appeal, it is a great option for high school athletics.
In a game of dodgeball, the stronger kids tend to win, and things may get rather rough. The game has been banned from most schools after parents voiced safety concerns.
Gaga ball is similar to dodgeball, except that it does not involve any face-first contact. Any player hitting above the waistline is eliminated. This ensures a relatively risk-free environment.
7. Playing Fields
Gaga ball can be played in a wide variety of settings. You can set up a game on a basketball court, an indoor gym, or a playground. The game can be played anywhere a pit can be constructed.
Alternatively, you can go camping or visit a park. Campgrounds are where the game was first played. Camping games like this may be a lot of fun and provide some much-needed relief from the seriousness of the outdoors. Make sure the ground is flat and dry, though.
Conclusion
In order to get more students involved in competitive sports at the high school level without exposing them to unnecessary risk, forming a gaga ball team is a fantastic idea. While organizing a gaga ball team is a lot of fun, there are some important factors to think about beforehand. Gaga ball is a cooperative, non-aggressive game. There are further benefits as well.