Abstract
This article presents a brief snapshot of FunEball, a new game that was designed to help children develop locomotor and object control skills with a focus on participation, collaboration and fun.
Participation in regular physical activity (PA) during childhood has many benefits, including reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity and developing fundamental motor skills for children (CitationMak & Cheung, 2017; CitationStodden & Goodway, 2007; CitationStodden et al., 2008). In addition, inclusive physical activity could help children with disabilities to successfully integrate into communities and schools (CitationMak & Cheung, 2018; CitationSherrill, 2004). In 2017, the JOPERD Editorial Board introduced a new inclusion policy that shows a strong support for diversity and inclusion through physical education and sport. The SHAPE America National Standards for K–12 Physical Education (CitationSHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators, 2014) also emphasize the importance of school-age students developing competence in fundamental motor skills in order to be physically literate.
Recent research has shown that new recruits and experienced PE teachers who lack content knowledge demonstrate lower quality of teaching (CitationOh & Hong, 2016; CitationSinelnikov, Kim, Ward, Curtner-Smith, & Li, 2016; CitationWard, Kim, Ko, & Li, 2015). Moreover, many elementary school students do not like physical education because it is too difficult to master various sport skills (CitationOh & Hong, 2016). Thus, new sports — which are participatory, collaborative, fun and focused on developing fundamental motor skills — should be invented for children and physical education teachers.
The second author, Professor Oh, invented FunEball in Korea in 2015. FunEball is designed to help children develop locomotor and object-control skills with a focus on participation, collaboration and fun. After years of modification FunEball first launched in the United State in 2018 at Marshall University and the West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education and Dance conference. Then FunEball was introduced at four different state conferences (Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee), as well as at Wingate University.
The primary purpose of FunEball is to provide a safe and cooperative environment for teaching children locomotor (e.g., running, skipping, jumping) and object-control skills (e.g., throwing, capturing, kicking) with minimal equipment (e.g., FunEball and net). There is evidence that children with good object-control skills are more likely to participate in intense physical activity as adolescents than children with poor object-control skills (CitationLopes, Rodrigues, Maia, & Malina, 2011; CitationVandorpe et al., 2012). However, learning object-control skills is more challenging than locomotor skills and requires more time and practice (CitationGallahue, Ozmun, & Goodway, 2012). Therefore, FunEball is designed to provide both low-skilled and highly skilled children equal opportunities to enjoy the game and to learn the locomotor and object-control skills. FunEball rules encourage maximum participation and collaboration so that children can feel successful, and it encourages children to do their best.
This article presents a brief snapshot of FunEball. The sport is played by two teams, with a net in the center between them. Players catch the FunEball, pass and pitch on the court. One to three points are scored when the FunEball bounces twice on the opponent's court. After passing the ball at least three times but no more than seven times, the team will throw or pitch the FunEball to the opponent's court. The defensive team should catch the ball before it bounces twice. Since the basic skills required for this game are very simple — that is, catching, running, walking, passing, throwing — anyone, regardless of skill level, gender or age, can participate and enjoy the game. Due to the minimum passing rules of the game, it encourages students to maximize participation and collaboration.
FunEball has been well received at conferences in different states. There are no monopolistic players in the game because all players need to meet the minimum pass requirements. The ball that is used in the game was specially designed to feel softer when catching, pitching or bouncing, greatly reducing the chance of injury. The game can also help improve cognitive skills because players must determine which skills are best to throw the ball. It is delightful that Professor Oh is willing to share his newly invented FunEball with colleagues in other parts of the world. The invention of FunEball strongly encourages us to think outside of the box. Let us reexamine our curriculum and address challenges by inventing new inclusive sports to promote the physical literacy of children and adolescents.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jennifer Y. Mak
Jennifer Y. Mak ([email protected]) is a professor in the Department of Sport Administration at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. Eung-Soo Oh is a professor in the Department of Physical Education at Dong-A University in Busan, South Korea.
References
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