This Game is HUGE!

“Omnikin Red!” You hear the shout before a massive ball flies overhead. You slide across the gym floor toward it and throw your leg under the ball. You can’t let it touch the floor. If it does, both of the other teams will get a point.

Some of you might already be playing this game in your gym classes. It’s called KIN-BALL. A Canadian physical education teacher invented the game in 1986—and it’s growing in popularity. “It’s a great team sport,” says Patrick Krech, a physical education teacher at the Butterfield School in Libertyville, Illinois. He’s been teaching the game to his students for 15 years.

“Omnikin Red!” you hear someone shout. A huge ball flies overhead. You slide across the gym floor toward it. You throw your leg under the ball. Whatever happens, you can’t let the ball touch the floor. If it does, each of the two other teams will get a point.

Some of you might already play this game in gym classes. It’s called KIN-BALL. A Canadian gym teacher invented the game in 1986. It’s gotten more popular since then. “It’s a great team sport,” says Patrick Krech. He’s a gym teacher at the Butterfield School in Libertyville, Illinois. He’s been teaching the game to his students for 15 years.

KIN-BALL is a lot like volleyball, minus the net. The goal is to make sure the ball never touches the floor. Three teams of four players play at a time. The teams take turns hitting the ball across the court. If the ball touches the floor, goes out of bounds, or isn’t hit far enough, the other two teams get a point. This system keeps all the teams moving and included in the game.

It has been only three decades since the game was invented, but more than 4 million people play KIN-BALL. Top players compete in a World Cup, which takes place every two years. During the 2017 World Cup in Tokyo, Japan, players came from countries around the world, like France, Singapore, China, the Czech Republic, and Canada to compete.

Maybe Krech’s students will play in the World cup one day. Right now, he has started an intramural competition at the Butterfield School. It takes place before the school day starts. It’s been easy for the students to learn how to play. Krech says the hardest part is getting used to having three teams and figuring out winning strategies.

“We’re having a good time,” he says. “The students are coming an hour before school at 7 a.m., so we’re doing something right!”

KIN-BALL is a lot like volleyball with no net. The goal is to make sure the ball never touches the floor. Three teams of four players play at a time. The teams take turns hitting the ball across the court. Another team has to catch the ball. They can’t let it touch the floor or go out of bounds. If they do, the other two teams each get a point. This system keeps all the teams moving and included in the game.

KIN-BALL was invented just over 30 years ago. Now more than 4 million people play it. Top players can compete in a World Cup, which takes place every two years. The 2017 World Cup was held in Tokyo, Japan. Players from around the world competed. There were teams from France, China, Canada, and other countries.

Maybe Krech’s students will play in the World cup one day. For now, he has started a competition within his school. It takes place before the school day starts. It’s been easy for the students to learn how to play. Krech says the hardest part is getting used to having three teams instead of just two. Kids also have to figure out winning strategies.

“We’re having a good time,” he says. “The students are coming an hour before school, at 7 a.m., so we’re doing something right!”