Unit Objectives:
Students will learn the game of Kin-ball including rules, strategies and teamwork.
Students will understand the concept of cooperative as well as competitive game play.
Students will understand that Kinball is a cardiovascular sport designed to enhance cardiovascular
fitness.
History of Kinball:
KIN-BALL® Sport began in 1986 in Quebec, Canada, when Mario Demers invented it as a way for P.E. teachers to
meet the needs of their education programs. The unique sport emphasizes teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship,
and good health. Since then, the sport has grown internationally and is played by about four million people in sixteen
countries worldwide. There is currently an international tournament every other year, and KIN-BALL® Sport has
potential to become an Olympic event.
Kinball is original because you work together with other teams to score points, however, your ultimate goal is to score
the most points against teams, winning the game! It is both competitive and cooperative!
Rules:
There are 3 teams, each with a different color jersey. (The game can be played with more teams)
There are 4 players on each team (can be played with 5)
The players on the defensive teams form a square around the ball. This same square constantly follows
all the movements of the ball. Each player is responsible for a corner of the square and is situated about
10-12 feet from the ball.
The ball starts in the middle and one team sets up a serve. The serving formation is as follows; 2-4
players kneel down facing each other with heads down and arms outstretched. The ball is placed on their
outstretched arms.
The server approaches the ball and says “Omnikin” and another color (example: Omnikin Red!) before
striking the ball with the fist in an upward motion.
When the color is announced and the ball is in the air, the corresponding team must catch the ball before
it hits the ground. If successful, that team sets up the serve immediately.
If the team does not catch the ball before it touches the ground, then one point is awarded to each of the
other teams on the court and that same team serves the ball.
Official rules call for 3 periods of 15 minutes each. If the score is tied, the game continues until there is a
winner.
Regarding the serve:
o The same player cannot serve twice in a row
o Server must say “Omnikin” and the color of the team before hitting the ball.
o The server hits the ball in and outward or upward trajectory, never in a downward direction.
o Three members of the same team have to be in contact with the ball before the serve.
o Once the team has had three contacts with the ball, the server only has 5 seconds to serve.
o Server uses a closed fist with a bent elbow!!! (Straight arm serves can result in elbow injuries!)
o Server can also use a volleyball bumping action.
Boundaries:
o Walls
o Ceilings
o Any fixed objects that are out of bounds
Scoring:
o When a team commits a fault, the other teams receive a point.
Interference:
o A point given to the other teams if a player blocks another player
o Accidental contact results in a re-serve
Advanced Strategies for the serve:
o False server – other teammates hold the ball, the false server runs toward the ball and shouts
Omnikin and the color, fakes his serve when he touches the ball and the true server hits the ball.
o Fake movement with the body – sudden change in the technique of serving, change in speed in the
movement of the server, change in the direction of the server.
o The pass – just like running with the ball, passing from teammate to teammate allows a team to
choose a strategic offensive position. Usually the player that passed the ball to his teammates will be
the one hitting.
Court Placement:
Notice that each team spaces themselves around the ball. They form a box and each player covers one corner of the
playing area. Staying spread out is an important key to being a successful team.
Fitness is Key:
Kinball will definitely enhance your cardiovascular fitness.
Heart rates can vary anywhere from 80 to 180 beats per minute.
As you continue to play the game, your cardiovascular fitness will improve!