If you suddenly spot your kids going nuts with energy while trying to dodge a ball, you’re not going gaga — they are, for gaga ball! If you’re not sure what this is, whether gaga ball is a sport, or even how it’s played, then you’ve come to the right place.
Below we address what gaga ball is and answer your question about whether or not it’s considered a sport.
What Is Gaga Ball?
Gaga ball is a high-energy and fast-paced variant of dodgeball, where players are put inside an octagonal pit. While it has many similarities to dodgeball, it’s known as the gentler version, where the more players there are, the better!
This game is played using a soft foam ball, where players must combine their striking, dodging, running, and jumping skills to get away from the player with the ball. The player striking the ball will then try to hit other players to get them out of the pit.
Because it’s so fun and easy to play, everyone can get a nice workout in. It’s so fun that players can’t wait to get back in for another shot at victory!
What Are Its Benefits?
Gaga ball has a wide range of benefits to bring to the table, but one of the most important ones is that it’s inclusive. This game is very welcoming to kids of all sizes, ages, and abilities — since it’s so easy to play, anyone can win!
Because this game doesn’t require a particular skill set, you’ll find that there’s a different winner for every game. Plus, it helps improve kids’ athleticism, motor functions, strategic thinking, and more.
While it may not be a formal sport like basketball, it’s still a fun game that helps kids develop skills that they can use in a wide range of sports.
Is Gaga Ball a Sport?
While you might have only heard of it recently, gaga ball actually has roots that date back to the 1970s, when the game was played inside Israeli summer camps. Since then, the game has spread globally and is played by children and adults all around the world.
Gaga ball is typically considered to be a sport inside camps, schools, and children’s groups. Unfortunately, there aren’t any professional leagues for gaga ball yet, which brings in the argument that it’s not a real sport.
Since gaga ball has internationally recognized rules that everyone around the world follows, many people argue that it has the potential to become a real sport. However, for those who love the game for what it is, they see it as a fun activity that encourages competition. In many ways, it’s a true sport in their eyes.
Conclusion
The answer to “is gaga ball a sport” may not be clearly defined, but this game’s fans surely think it is. No matter where you stand, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying this game the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
If you’re curious about why your kids are having so much fun out in the backyard, consider joining them to see why they’re going gaga over gaga ball!