Basketball

4 Basketball lead up games to play with kids:

1) Lightning/Knockout: This game does require a low level of shooting ability but remains an ideal game for kids with varying skills because everyone gets a chance to shoot.   Lightning requires two basketballs and more players.  The players form a single line at the free throw line with the first two receiving basketballs.  The first player shoots and as soon as they release the ball the next player with a ball steps up to the line and shoots as well.  The second player can "knock out" the first player by making the basket before the first player.  If the first player makes the shot before the second player, they pass their ball to the next player in the line, who then tries to knock out the second player while the first player returns to the end of the line.  The game goes on until all but one player is knocked out.

2) Around the World:  The object of the game is to "go around the world" by making consecutive shots from predetermined spots around the court.  The first player makes a shot from the first spot, if they make it, they move to the next spot.  If they don't make it, they must go to the end of the line.  Starting at the second spot, players may choose to "chance it" and take a second shot from the spot, but if they miss they must go back to the first spot.  This "second chance" is only good from the second to the second to the last shot.  If you make it on the "chance", you continue to the next spot and are allowed another "chance" at each successive spot.  The player may also choose to "stay" if they don't make their first shot, so the ball then goes to the next person in line.  It is important to remember your order in the line(if you have one).  In order to win you must make the basket at the last spot with one shot, no chances.  

3)Firing Range:  This game is just like "Around the World", but each player gets their own ball.  All players shoot at the same time until one player finishes.

4)HORSE:  The object of this game is to be the first to spell the word HORSE!  Players line up from any spot on the court.  The first player decides where to shoot from and shoots.  If they make it, they get a letter in the word horse, and then the next player must shoot from the same spot (if they make it, they get at letter too).  This shooting from the same spot goes on until someone misses or it gets back to the original player that made the shot.  If the person in front of you misses, you can choose any spot to shoot from and if you miss the shot, you do not get a letter.  (Use any word for your game!  Sight words make great words)