Let the Games Begin!

The thing I like best about stability ball training is the ball itself. What a fun tool to share with your class! Regardless of age, size or ability, people can't help but smile when you put 'em on the ball. Programming options on the ball are endless - you could teach an interval-based class, a strength-training workout, core and balance workout, you name it. Whatever type of workout you are planning, it's a good idea to add some agility skills, games and drills to up the fun factor. Here are a few ideas to bring some fun, excitement, and teambuilding to your class. You can do a whole class based on these ideas, or just incorporate one or two to get your class laughing. Let the GAMES Begin!

Princess & the Pea. This is an individual skill and is a great way to get your clients comfortable on the ball. Begin with everyone rolling their hips to the right in a big circle, about the size of a Resist-A-Ball. Then have them slowly make their circle smaller, the size of a basketball, cantaloupe, grapefruit, apple and finally a pea. Have them repeat this skill to the left. This helps your participants build body awareness and, specifically, awareness of their abdominal muscles. As the circles get smaller, more abdominal control is required.

Balance on Ball. Here's a great one for those eye-rolling, know-it-all teens. I don't know about you, but whenever I teach a teen or tween class, there is an inordinate amount of eye-rolling and feeling "stupid". Remember, teens really do think that everyone is watching their every move, and you need to figure out how to get them out of that place and back to their appreciation for play. Have participants sit on the ball and focus their eyes on an immovable object. Then, have them take one foot and then the other off the floor and try to balance. Once they get the hang of it, see who can stay up the longest. They will be so busy attempting to balance that they'll soon forget to 'act cool.'

Statues/Red Light, Green Light. Another great game for kids, although I sometimes bring it into my adult classes as well. Start everyone moving in a basic pattern, step touch, marching, hopping foot-to-foot, with a basic arm pattern as well (I like to have them step-touch and dribble the ball. When you (the instructor) yell "red light," everyone must freeze in a dramatic statuesque pose. Your cue of "Green Light" starts them up again.

Up/Down, Side-to-Side. This is a partner game where two people stand back to back and pass the ball overhead (up), through their legs (down), and side to side. The instructor can call out Up, Down and Side to Side randomly to keep them moving in all directions.

AB Toss - Two Kinds. Another partner drill, done two ways. First, have one person supine on the ball, the other person, standing and facing them, tosses a small ball. The person on the ball catches it, brings it almost overhead, and tosses it back to the standing person. The standing person catches the ball, does a squat and then tosses the ball back. Switch positions after 16-32 reps. The second Ab Toss has two people facing one another, both supine on the ball. they proceed to toss the small ball back and forth, taking turns bringing the small ball overhead and tossing back.

Pass It On! This is a group activity where you line up your class, give them one ball to pass down the line. The last person in line takes the ball and runs back to the front of the line to start the pass again. This can be as easy as passing hand to hand at chest height, or more challenging passing overhead, rolling under legs, bouncing the ball to the next person in line, etc. Another challenge is to add more than one ball and speed things up!

Simon Says. The age-old game of Simon Says becomes new when the ball is added. You can do a variety of skills - seated bouncing, dribbling, circling the ball with a mambo cha-cha - and all you need is the cue "Simon says do this" or just "do this". Just like the original game, when someone moves on a "do this," there is a penalty. Don't penalize just your errant mover - get the whole class to do pushups, squats or some other form of torture. This game not only works the body, but the mind as well.

Remember, all classes need an element of play - you are the ringleader to get the games going. Your class will feed off the energy you put out. Make your class the safe place they get to cut loose every time and they will keep coming back for more - guaranteed! Questions? Contact me at santesf@yahoo.com. Good luck and PLAY BALL! Jackie Camborde is a Master Trainer for Resist-A-Ball and GlidingT and a national fitness presenter and writer. Her new DVD, Real World Yoga, is available through her website. Catch Jackie's Play Ball! workshop at several conventions this year, starting with FitnessFest in Tempe, AZ April 13-15. You can book this workshop for your facility; Go to http://www.jackiecamborde.com/ for more information.