Rules to Gaga Ball

Gaga, the safer alternative to Dodgeball, is fast-paced fun for everyone. Perfect for schools, churches, and playgrounds, kids (and adults) of all abilities and skill levels go gaga for this popular game. Since everyone participates, everyone can win! Easily install your own or head to a nearby Gaga pit. Learn the rules to Gaga Ball then get out there and play!

Starting a Game

To begin, each player must have at least one hand touching the Gaga Pit wall
One player throws the ball in the air, then let the ball bounce three times
Everyone yells "Ga" on each of the three bounces - "Ga, Ga, Ga" signals the start of the game
On the third bounce, the ball is in play

Objective

Just like Dodgeball, the last one standing wins. However, contrary to Dodgeball, the rules to Gaga Ball carefully consider safety. Let's go over what's allowed and not allowed:

Do

Use open hands to hit the ball
Hit opponents with the ball below the waist (or knee in some versions) to eliminate them
The first eliminated player now opens and closes the gate for other eliminated players for the remainder of the game (if the pit includes a gate)
After touching the ball, the player must wait until the ball hits another player or wall to touch it again
Keep the ball in bounds (in the pit)
When one player has eliminated all other players, they win

Don't

If a player does any of the following actions, they are eliminated and must exit the ball pit:

Pick up the ball and throw it at a player
Hit the ball with a closed fist
Touch the ball two (or more) times in a row - known as a double touch, triple touch, etc.
Hit the ball out of the Gaga pit without hitting another player first
Kick the ball

Variations

The rules above are the standard rules to Gaga Ball; however, there are some existing variations. Feel free to play with any (or all) of the following rules or create your own changes with your players:

The ball must hit below the knee (versus the waist)
Double and/or triple touches are allowed
Once there are only two or three players left, another ball is tossed into play - the same rules apply and any player touched by either ball is out
Implement a 20-second countdown when play is too slow

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Rules to Gaga Ball - Standard and Variations