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Written By John Drzewiecki And Janine Hradsky

Introduction

ShootChute's angled, oversized target area, adjustable height and automatic ball return invites students of all ability levels to experience success together. As an added bonus it also promotes continuous movement aides in developing fitness for all. ShootChute may be used individually and with groups both small and large. It works well with limited space, yet it's easily brought in and out of large playing areas. By placing a box at the base of the chute, ShootChute turns clean-up time into a fun game. This guide is designed to help you and your students get the most from your ShootChute.

Suggested Use: The ShootChute is ideal for students in early childhood through upper elementary grades, for students using wheelchairs and for those with decreased mobility. Because of its novelty and adaptability for students with diverse ability levels, the ShootChute can also be enjoyed by middle school or higher-aged students with cognitive disabilities.

Safety Suggestions: Tell students to watch out for balls that have rolled out from the Chute and onto the playing area.

Activities

Trash Compactor

Suggested Use: For students ages kindergarten through grade 5.
Objectives: To increase fitness, while developing throwing and tracking skills.
Set Up: Put a ShootChute on each side of the gym. Place a box at the base of the Chute to catch the balls. Divide the class into 2 teams on each side of the gym. Distribute the balls among the students (use a variety of shapes and sizes, but no balls that could hurt if students are hit by them). If possible, give out one or more balls per student. Ball examples: Sportime® Sof-Stuf™ Balls, Eurofoam™ Balls, and Yarnballs.
The Game: On the signal to begin, students from each side try to shoot all their balls into the ShootChute™ on the opposite side of the gym. Missed balls get returned back and forth. After a set time has elapsed (1 to 2 minutes) or if all balls have been caught in the box, gather the balls and play again!
Adaptations: Try to evenly distribute players on each team so that each side has a balance of the faster and more accurate throwers. For students with limited movement and throwing abilities, have buddies assist those players by handing them the balls.

Cooperative Catch And Chute

Suggested Use: For students in kindergarten through grade 5.
Objectives: To engage in active movement while increasing catching, throwing and cooperation skills.
Set Up: Divide the class into 2 teams and have them spread out on each side of the gym. Put a ShootChute on each side and place a box at the base of each chute to catch the balls. (If only one ShootChute is available, have the teams take turns being on the side with the ShootChute.) Each team gets to start with a variety of balls (one ball for each player on each side). For ball suggestions, see the Trash Compactor game, above. A stopwatch and signal for stopping is needed.
The Game: On the signal to begin, both teams start throwing the balls to the team on the other side. The goal is to throw the balls so they can be caught. Missed balls are to be thrown back to the other team. Only the balls that are caught by the students may be thrown into the ShootChute, on the player's own side. The goal if for all balls to end up in the 2 ShootChutes in the fastest time. Record the time it takes to do this in Round 1, then have the 2 teams working together to try and beat their time in the following rounds.

Stone The Castle

Suggested Use: For students ages kindergarten through grade 4.
Objectives: To provide an opportunity for active movement, while increasing throwing and tracking skills. This game also reinforces academic skills and stimulates the imagination.
Set Up: Put one ShootChute in the middle of the gym and build a moat around it using stacked mats knee high (you can also use cones). The moat area should be large enough for 3 students (the alligators) to move around comfortably inside. The rest of the students become knights, maidens, dragons, horses or jesters. Students may choose their own role after you prompt a discussion on the subject of how to be non-judgmental and respectful to others. Players spread out in the gym with enough balls for continuous play (about 25 balls). For ball-type suggestions, see the Trash Compactor game, above.
The Game: On the signal to begin, players take turns shooting the stones (balls) into the castle. Balls that come out of the Chute may be tossed out of the water by the alligators. On the signal to stop, the alligators count how many balls are left in their area.
The 3 alligators work together to make up the same number of sentences about medieval times as there are balls left. For example: 3 balls left = 3 sentences such as, Dragons breathe fire. The castle is big. Jesters are funny.) Students may, instead, choose to spell words or do math problems. Once the alligators have completed their task and 3 new alligators are picked, they may leave the moat area to become knights, dragons, etc.

Basketball Bowling

Suggested Use: For students in grades 1 through 8.
Objectives: To increase throwing accuracy, tracking and math skills.
Set Up: Place 10 bowling pins approximately 4 to 12' from the base of the Chute (distance varies with skill levels). The remaining players are behind a line 5 to 15' from the pins. Each student has a bowling score sheet and a pencil. Distribute one ball (that rolls well) per group.
The Game: Students shoot the ball into the ShootChute so it rolls and knocks down the pins. Allow 2 turns per person (or one for a strike) as in regular bowling. Students may score according to their grade level abilities and may work together on scoring.
Variation: Students can take turns being a pin setter, and players, waiting for their turn to bowl, can be playing catch.

ShootChute Relay Challenge

Suggested Use: For students in grades 1 through 4.
Objectives: Spatial awareness, agility and throwing accuracy.
Set Up: Put the ShootChute™ on one side of the gym and place 6 cones or pods in a semi-circle, spaced out around the ShootChute approximately 10' away (distance varies with skill levels). On the opposite side of the gym, arrange 6 cones spread out in a line and put the students into 6 teams behind each cone in relay formation. The first person in each line has a ball. Any ball that works well for shooting and rolling is recommended.
The Game: On the signal to begin, the first person in each line runs out to their designated cone or pod, stops and then shoots to the Chute. Shooters get their own rebound and keep shooting if they miss. Once a shot is made, shooters retrieve their own ball as it rolls back out and run the ball back to their team. The next person in line may go as soon as they get the ball, while the first shooter goes to the end of the line, and so on. Teammates who have had a turn should sit down to show that they are finished.
Variation: For a non-competitive version, players continue to take turns until time is called.

"Stick It"

Suggested Use: For a smaller group of students in grades 4 through 8.
Objectives: To increase eye-hand coordination and reaction time speed.
Set Up: Put the ShootChute in the center of the gym. Have students spread out behind the ShootChute with at least 10 GrabBalls™. One student stands on the opposite side of the chute with a hockey stick or lummi stick.
The Game: As students try to shoot the GrabBalls into the ShootChute, the player with the stick tries to catch the balls using the stick before they hit the ground. Balls are then fed back to the shooters and students take turns being the one who tries to "stick it."

Volleyball Skill Station

Suggested Use: For students in grades 4 through middle school.
Objectives: To increase bumping and setting skills in a small group or station scenario.
Set Up: Have a designated area for 1 to 6 students around the ShootChute. Give each student a volleyball.
The Activity: Students practice bumping and setting the volleyball into the ShootChute, while getting their ball back from the automatic ball return in the ShootChute.

Seated ShootChute

Suggested Use: For students who have more involved disabilities.
Objectives: To increase upper-limb movement and visual motor skills.
Set Up: Put a box at the base of the Chute to collect the balls. One person sits at the ShootChute in wheelchair or chair. Another student stands next to the seated player for assistance.
The Game: Students tap balloons or toss other balls into the Chute with assistance, as needed. The teacher or student helping the seated player may tap the ball up into the chute, if needed, and the player could track it and help retrieve it from the bin.