How to Play Israeli Dodgeball

Remember playing dodgeball in Phys. Ed. as a kid? Israeli dodgeball, or "Ga Ga" (meaning "hit hit") is a lot more fun, and doesn't hurt as much! It's a game that is best played with a lot of people, but can be varied to suit just about any amount of people.

Find a place to play. Ga Ga is meant to be played in a pit, about five feet deep and a diameter of about thirty feet, but you can set up your own "pit" just by clearing a large area in an indoor, hard-surfaced room such as a school cafeteria, and make the walls by turning benches on their sides, the seats facing inwards. The size of the "pit" may vary depending on how many people are playing. You want enough room to move around, but also have it closed in enough so the game is fast-paced and interesting.

Have all players stand inside the pit. Have one player or outside volunteer toss the volleyball up into the air, just about a foot above their head. As it bounces off the ground three times, everyone says "Ga, ga, ga!". After the third "ga", the game begins.

Hit the ball to make it touch another player below the knees. If they are hit there, they are out. If they block themselves, they are still in.

Use only one hand to hit the ball. You may only touch the ball once, but you may dribble it against the pit walls and you can touch it again after someone else has touched it. If you hit someone above the waist you are out. If you hit the ball out of the pit you are out. If you touch the ball before the third "ga" at the start of the game, you are out.

Aim to be the last person in the pit -- that's the winner. If the two last people are taking a long time trying to get the other person out, consider reducing the size of the pit to make it more difficult for the players.

Tips

• Some people like to play that once you are out you cannot play again until the next game. Other people like to play that you can get back in by various ways. For example, if the person who got you out gets out, you may go back in, or you could go back in after completing, say, fifteen jumping jacks.
• After you have played a game or two, you will start to come up with some good strategies. Use these! They will help you win!
• Hold competitions and give out prizes to the winners. Have some fun!
• Play to win.