This week I bring you an updated video from one of my all time favorite games. Once again I got this one from the Phys Ed Guru J.D. Hughes. He was kind enough to agree to letting me share this awesome game with you. If you like it, you should go check out the book that it came from and all of J.D.’s Resources over on his site PE2theMax.com
Check out the video below for a full walkthrough of the game:
Game Overview
Objective: To have the most hula huts standing after the time limit has expired
In the game there are 5 student positions:
- Scorer – shoots baskets to score hula hoops
- Builder – builds hula huts once their team scores 6 hoops
- Destroyer – tries to throw a ball and knock down the opposing teams huts
- Protector – protects the huts from being knocked down
- Gatherer – Gathers balls from the other side for Scorers and Destroyers
Rules:
- No guarding the baskets/trashcans or whatever scorers are throwing the ball into
- Any time you step over the midline when throwing = 60 seconds in the penalty box
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Why the Game is so Awesome:
- Allows for student choice (choosing between different jobs/positions during the game) – this increases engagement and helps differentiate between multiple skill levels and interests
- The game is cyclical – never ending game that the teacher can place a time limit on so that it fits specific needs for your lesson plan, class or schedule
- Strategy – the game is stock full of different strategic elements that you can discuss with students and apply to tons of different sports and game situations
Quick Note: Just remember, even with awesome games like this one, you don’t want to wear them out by playing them too often. I usually play this game once during my throwing unit and then again at the end of the year to review, but if you play a game much more than that, it starts to “lose it’s magic” and you might begin to see a dip in student engagement.
Hope you enjoy the game – thanks again to J.D. for bringing joy to students in Phys Ed everywhere with another incredible game for Physical Education. You can check out all of his books on his PE Website: PE2themax.com
Small Spaces Version:
If you are trying to play the game in a smaller space – check out Ryan Ellis‘ creative modification of the game HERE
Thank you for this idea! I tried this today with my Gr 4 gym class and it went ok. One big issue we ran into was the hula hoops were very hard to stack and make the huts since they are not all exactly the same size around. This was frustrating and slowed things down for the kids. Because they weren’t as stable, they also fell down really easily. I recommend using the same size hoops (if you have them) so the huts come together and the game can move along more smoothly.
Exactly Emmy!
We are lucky to have the same size hula hoops, it’s a must have!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Hi there,
Great game! I’m still confused about how to split the gym. Does each team have a different garbage can and net to shoot towards? Is the gym split in half?
That’s correct LW!
The gym is split in half and the teams are scoring on the opposite sides trash can and basketball goals.
They must throw the ball from their side of the gym.
Let us know if you have any other questions!
Hi!
How many Huts to do start the game with?
Thanks!
Hey Nicole!
We start the game with zero huts. Students have to earn hula huts by scoring in the opposite teams goals.
You can set up scoring how you see fit but we score it 2 hula hoops for trash can, 4 hula hoops for our side goals, and 6 hula hoops for the main goal.
Hope this helps!
How many hula hoops are ideal for this game?
Hey Lindsey!
We try to use as many of the same size Hula Hoops as we have.
We use upwards of 42 – 54 hula hoops.
Hope this helps!
This sounds like so much fun and I’m sure my kids would love it. I have a couple questions: can multiple students share jobs or do they have to take turns so that only one student at a time is scoring, destroying, gathering, etc? I have classes of 35 or so at a time. Also, I have a bunch of random sized hoops unfortunately… do you only put out one size so there is no confusion during the game or do you let the students figure out how to grab 6 of the same size so they can build huts?
Thank you for all your great resources!
Hey Cora!
Hula Hut Throwdown is a kid favorite.
Students can share and do multiple jobs at the same time. We just tell them they need to do what their team needs to be successful.
We have multiple sizes of hula hoops during play and it’s difficult for students to build hula hut. We suggest using the same size but if that’s all you have, students will adjust.
Amazing!
Thanks Farzaneh!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
We love this game and play it inside and outside (covered basketball court).
We added a Responsibility of the middle target on a scooter for two hoops.
Three hoops for hitting the basketball basket, and 6 hoops for making the basket.
These were ALL ideas from the kids playing.
We played with up to 60 kids, and as little as 10 kids.
Cool variations! Glad you enjoyed it!
Just played this game with my 6th graders and they absolutely loved it!! Thank you so much!
It’s great how everyone can Play to their strenghts and they work as a Team..
Will definitely spread the word about this game in our school
Awesome! Glad it went well!
Sounds fun! Are students allowed to switch their “job” at any point in the game? Or do teams assign jobs within their team and stick with it?
Yep, switch anytime
Do you disperse all the balls before the hula hut throwdown game begins?
I explain the game then once each team is ready to go, I dump all the balls out and start the music to begin the game
I know I found this info somewhere but I have lost it. What size hoops do you recommend for this game and how many hoops are needed for a class size of 24? Thanks! You are awesome for sharing with us!
36″ hoops
You need 6 hoops per group, so ideally you could have 24 hoops and do 4 groups of 6… you can always modify if you don’t have enough by creating larger groups, but it’s not ideal.
I thought it was just 2 groups.
It is – sorry for the confusion I was thinking about Hula Hut Relays.
Yes 2 teams – basically just put all the hoops out that you have.
How many hula hoops does each team start with? Do they start with a full hula hut or no hoops at all until they score?
No hoops at the start – you have to score them
What grade levels can you play this with?
I play with 2nd – 5th. You could probably play a super modified version with 1st graders and maybe even K, but it would have to be very simplified. eg.) score a goal, get 1 hoop, try to build a hula hut… most huts wins
Love Hula Hut throwdown. One thing I’m having a hard time with is the gatherers. I do not have regulation basketball goals in my gym because we have to use the cafeteria/multi-purpose room. The only goal I have are trash cans. The gatherers want to just stand over the trash cans and either get them out for their team or catch them if they miss. Sometimes they block their own teams’ shot from going in because they are retrieving ones in the trash can. Is there an efficient way of retrieving the balls out of the trash can so the game can continue smoothly? My kids love the game. Thanks
I would pick 2-3 “Coaches” that are the only ones allowed to empty the trash cans for their team – you can have them wear jerseys to help with organization.