Bounce-Off

The original Bounce-Off

The goal of Bounce-Off is to bounce your balls onto a hard surface so that they will jump and land on the plastic grid. Be the first to land your balls onto the grid so that they match a pattern card and you win the card. 

Bounce-Off has been a favorite with my kids for a long time. It is quick and easy to learn, but takes practice to master. Where the ball ends up will depend on your aim and the force that you use to bounce the ball. The balls are ping pong balls so they bounce easy and high. Bounce it too hard and it will fly not only over the grid, but over the table as well. Bounce it too soft and it will not jump high enough to go into the grid. It takes a little forward push, aim, and graded force. Practice, practice, practice.

The nine challenge cards each show one pattern (see image below) that will use anywhere from three to five balls. The 6 x 6 grid is lightweight plastic and the game includes four trays that will each hold four balls (up to four players can play).

I have been able to use Bounce-Off with many cognitive and skill levels, with and without the challenge cards. Note that if you are playing with a person who takes awhile to get the hang of it you will be chasing after a lot of balls. Best not to use around dogs that like to chase balls as the balls will be easy to bite through and may be a choking hazard.

To read about several Bounce-Off games I have blogged about, click here. 

Try this:

• Choose a card and place the balls in that pattern in the grid before the game starts so the person can see what he will be looking for.
• Bounce all the balls into the grid without a challenge card to practice just getting them into the grid.
• Make your own design cards with new challenges.
• Play alone with one color for less background distraction.
• Give each player eight balls. Playing simultaneously, see who can get their eight balls into the grid first.
• Stop the game for a moment when someone is getting close to winning. Ask him to point out on the grid the possibilities and where he will have to land the ball to make the pattern.  See if he can pick the pattern out of the background and work on aiming for a specific location.
• Skip the pattern cards and play a game where players take turns bouncing in one ball at a time. First person to get 3 in a row, in any orientation, is the winner. 
• Place the balls in the grid to match a pattern card. Add extra balls around it to make it more challenging if you want.Then give the card to the player and see if they can find the matching pattern on the grid. To make it more difficult, turn the grid so that it will not look exactly like the card. Let the individual turn the card if they need to for help, or don't.
• Follow the instructions from the suggestion above but instead of giving the player one card, give them several and ask them to find one that will match a pattern on the grid.
• Work on eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, motor planning, visual discrimination, spatial relations, position in space, visual closure, figure ground, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation 

In the box: A grid, 16 balls, 9 challenge cards, 4 ball holders

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.