• 23 games
  • Checked October 2026

Tennis Ball Games for PE

Bounce-and-catch games, wall games, target games and games with a ball on a cone, all without rackets.

Tennis Ball Games for PE

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  1. Turnstile: Three in a Line, the Middle One Turns1. A bounce-pass game for three with one ball. Stand in a line, three steps between players.2. An end player bounces the ball to the middle player, who catches it, turns and bounces it on to the other end. Then it comes back the same way.3. Count the catches without a drop. At ten, the middle player swaps with an end.4. When all three have had the middle, play again with one hand only.Ages: 6 to 11. Players: 3 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each three.
  2. Turn on the Bounce: Listen, Spin, Catch1. A reaction game for the ears. The catcher stands with their back to a partner, three steps away.2. The partner bounces the ball hard on the floor, off to one side, and says nothing.3. At the sound of the bounce the catcher turns and catches the ball before it bounces a second time.4. Five tries, then swap. Score a point for each catch, and two for turning the right way first time.Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each pair.
  3. Copy My Bounce: A Trick, Then the Ball1. A copying game for partners. One partner makes up a short trick with the ball, three moves long: a bounce under one leg, a catch behind the back, a bounce and a clap.2. They show it once, then bounce the ball across.3. The partner has to do the same trick. If they manage it, they invent the next one. If not, the first partner scores a point and shows a new trick.4. Play to five points. Every trick has to be one its inventor can do.Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each pair.

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Bounce-and-catch games 6

  • Bounce and Swap Spots: Catch Your Partner's Ball 1. A bounce game on the move, with a ball each. Partners stand on two floor spots, four steps apart. 2. On three, both bounce their ball hard on their own spot, straight down. 3. Both run to the other spot and catch the partner's ball before it bounces twice. Pass each other right shoulder to right shoulder. 4. Count the rounds in which both make the catch. At five in a row, move the spots one step farther apart. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: a tennis ball and a floor spot each.
  • Bounce Ladder: Six Rungs for Two 1. A bounce-and-catch ladder for partners. Stand four steps apart with one ball. Every throw has to bounce once on the floor between you. 2. Rung one: catch with two hands. Two: with one hand. Three: with the other hand. Four: clap before the catch. Five: touch the floor before the catch. Six: turn all the way around before the catch. 3. Both partners make the catch to clear a rung. A drop sends the pair back one rung. 4. A pair that clears rung six starts again one step farther apart. Ages: 7 to 12. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each pair.
  • Call the Bounces: None, One or Two 1. A catching game with an order in it. Partners stand five steps apart. The thrower lobs the ball high and calls none, one or two while it is in the air. 2. The catcher has to let the ball bounce that many times, then catch it before it bounces again. 3. A catch on the right bounce scores a point for the pair. 4. Swap jobs after every throw and count the points out of ten throws. Then try to beat that score. Ages: 7 to 12. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each pair.
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Bounce-and-catch games, continued

  • Copy My Bounce: A Trick, Then the Ball 1. A copying game for partners. One partner makes up a short trick with the ball, three moves long: a bounce under one leg, a catch behind the back, a bounce and a clap. 2. They show it once, then bounce the ball across. 3. The partner has to do the same trick. If they manage it, they invent the next one. If not, the first partner scores a point and shows a new trick. 4. Play to five points. Every trick has to be one its inventor can do. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each pair.
  • Turn on the Bounce: Listen, Spin, Catch 1. A reaction game for the ears. The catcher stands with their back to a partner, three steps away. 2. The partner bounces the ball hard on the floor, off to one side, and says nothing. 3. At the sound of the bounce the catcher turns and catches the ball before it bounces a second time. 4. Five tries, then swap. Score a point for each catch, and two for turning the right way first time. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each pair.
  • Turnstile: Three in a Line, the Middle One Turns 1. A bounce-pass game for three with one ball. Stand in a line, three steps between players. 2. An end player bounces the ball to the middle player, who catches it, turns and bounces it on to the other end. Then it comes back the same way. 3. Count the catches without a drop. At ten, the middle player swaps with an end. 4. When all three have had the middle, play again with one hand only. Ages: 6 to 11. Players: 3 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each three.

Wall games 6

  • Crossfire: Two Balls Cross Off the Wall 1. A wall game for partners with a ball each. Stand side by side, three steps apart and four steps from the wall. 2. On three, both throw underhand at the wall on a slant, so that each rebound goes to the partner. 3. Catch your partner's ball after one bounce. 4. Count the rounds in which both catches are made. After five, stand a step wider. Ages: 9 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: a tennis ball each and a stretch of wall.
  • Name Off the Wall: The Thrower Picks the Catcher 1. A wall game for four or five players. Everyone stands in a bunch, five steps from the wall. 2. The thrower throws high against the wall and calls a name. 3. The named player has to catch the rebound before its second bounce. A catch makes them the next thrower. After a miss, the same thrower calls someone else. 4. Nobody is called twice until everyone has been called once. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 4 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each group and a stretch of wall.
  • Rebound to the Hoop: Off the Wall, Into the Ring 1. A target game with the wall in the way. Lay a hoop on the floor two steps out from a wall and stand four steps behind it. 2. Throw underhand at the wall so that the rebound first lands inside the hoop. 3. A partner beside the hoop judges, fetches and counts. Five throws, then swap. 4. After a round each, slide the hoop a step farther from the wall, and the throw has to change with it. Ages: 7 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball and a hoop for each pair, and a stretch of wall.
  • Throw for Me, Catch for You: A Rally Off the Wall 1. A wall rally for partners that nobody wins alone. Tape a line on the floor three steps from the wall. 2. One partner throws at the wall from behind the line. The other lets the rebound bounce once, catches it and throws from where they caught it. 3. Take turns and count the catches in a row. 4. At ten, add a rule: every throw has to hit the wall above head height. At twenty, catch with one hand. Ages: 7 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each pair, tape and a stretch of wall.
  • Wall Conveyor: Throw, Step Out, Next One Catches 1. A wall game for a line of four or five with one ball. Line up facing the wall, four steps back. 2. The first player throws at the wall and steps out to the right. The next player catches the rebound after one bounce, throws and steps out. 3. Each player jogs to the back of the line. 4. Count the catches before a miss. The record stands until another line beats it. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 4 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each line and a stretch of wall.
  • Wall Sevens: Seven Jobs, One Fewer Each Time 1. A wall ladder for one player at a time, with a partner who counts. Stand three steps from a wall. 2. Sevens: throw at the wall and catch, seven times. Sixes: let the ball bounce once before each catch, six times. Fives: clap before the catch. Fours: throw from under one leg. Threes: catch with one hand. Twos: touch the floor before the catch. One: spin around once and catch. 3. A drop sends the thrower back to the start of that job. 4. The partner counts aloud and takes over when the thrower finishes, or after three drops. Ages: 7 to 12. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each pair and a stretch of wall.

Target games 6

  • Corner Pockets: Floor Pool by Hand 1. Pool without a table, for two to four players. Tape a square four steps across and set two cones a step apart at each corner: the pockets. Scatter six tennis balls inside the square. 2. In turn, roll a seventh ball, the cue ball, from the edge of the square so that it knocks another ball out through a pocket. 3. A pocketed ball scores a point and earns another turn. A cue ball that rolls out through a pocket costs a point. 4. Play until the square is empty. Ages: 9 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: seven tennis balls, eight cones and tape for each square.
  • Exactly Three Bounces to the Line 1. A game about how hard to throw. Partners face each other across two lines, six steps apart. 2. Toss the ball underhand so that it bounces exactly three times before it reaches your partner's line. The partner counts the bounces aloud and catches the ball. 3. Exactly three scores a point for the pair. 4. After ten tosses each, the pair picks a new number, two or four, and plays again. Ages: 7 to 12. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball for each pair.
  • Hop the Bench: Bounce It Over, Land It in the Hoop 1. A bounce target with a barrier to clear. Set a bench across the lane and lay a hoop on the floor one step behind it. Stand three steps in front of the bench. 2. Bounce the ball on the floor in front of the bench so that it hops over and comes down in the hoop. 3. Score one point for clearing the bench and three for landing in the hoop. 4. Five tries, then swap. The partner stands well behind the hoop to field the balls. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball and a hoop for each pair, and a bench.
  • Ring Marbles With Tennis Balls 1. Marbles, scaled up. Tape or chalk a ring three steps across and put ten tennis balls in a bunch in the middle. Two to four players kneel around the ring with a shooter ball each. 2. In turn, roll your shooter from the edge of the ring to knock balls out of it. 3. You keep every ball that leaves the ring and roll again. A turn ends when nothing leaves the ring. Fetch your shooter either way. 4. When the ring is empty, the player with the most balls sets up the next game and shoots last. Ages: 7 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: ten tennis balls and a shooter ball each for each ring, and tape or chalk.
  • Roll It Into the Cone 1. A rolling target made from a cone. Lay a cone on its side with the wide end toward a line three steps away. A partner holds it still with one foot on the tip. 2. Roll the ball along the floor so that it runs into the cone and stays in. 3. Three rolls, then swap. A ball that rattles the rim and stays out scores nothing. 4. When both partners have scored twice, the line moves back a step. Ages: 6 to 12. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball and a cone for each pair.
  • Skipping Stone: A Bounce in Each Hoop 1. A target game for a ball that skips. Lay three hoops in a row on the floor, touching, and stand three steps from the nearest one. 2. Throw underhand and low so that the ball bounces in the first hoop, then the second, then the third, like a stone skipped over water. 3. Score a point for each hoop the ball bounces in, as long as it takes them in order. 4. Five throws, while a partner beyond the hoops fetches. Then swap. Later, pull the hoops a hand apart. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one tennis ball and three hoops for each pair.

Ball on a cone games 5

  • Cone Top Carry: Walk, Turn, Jog 1. A balancing game for everyone at once. Each player holds a tall cone upright by its base in one hand, with a tennis ball resting on the tip. 2. Level one: walk across the gym and back. Level two: turn once around on the way. Level three: jog. Level four: carry it in the other hand. 3. If the ball falls, stop, put it back and take three walking steps before speeding up again. 4. A player who clears four levels makes up a fifth and teaches it to someone. Ages: 6 to 12. Players: 2 to 30. You need: a tall cone and a tennis ball each.
  • Do Not Wake the Garden: Travel Between the Cone Tops 1. A moving game about leaving things alone. Scatter thirty cones over the gym with a tennis ball resting on top of each: the garden. 2. The teacher names a way to travel, such as skipping, galloping or sliding sideways. Everyone moves through the garden that way without touching a cone. 3. A player who knocks a ball off stops, puts it back and says fixed. The class counts each one aloud. 4. Change the way of traveling every thirty seconds. The class tries to finish a round with a lower count than the last. Ages: 5 to 9. Players: 6 to 30. You need: thirty cones and thirty tennis balls.
  • Hand Tee: Bat It Off the Cone, Field It Back On 1. A striking and fielding game for groups of four, with a cone as the tee. Stand a tall cone on a line with a tennis ball on top. Off to one side, set two base cones ten steps apart. The three fielders start ten steps out in front. 2. The batter strikes the ball off the tee with an open hand, then runs back and forth between the base cones. 3. The three fielders get the ball back and rest it on the tee. When it stays on, they shout stop. 4. The batter scores a run for each trip finished. Everyone moves on one job, and the game ends when all four have batted three times. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 4 to 32. You need: three cones and a tennis ball for each group of four.
  • Middle Cone: Roll From Both Sides 1. A rolling duel at a tennis ball on a cone. Partners kneel six steps apart with a ball each. A tall cone stands halfway between them with a third ball on top. 2. Take turns rolling at the cone. The ball on top has to fall, and the cone has to stay up. 3. A clean knock-off scores a point, and the scorer sets the ball back on. A cone knocked flat scores nothing. 4. Stop each other's rolls and play to five. Then both move back a step. Ages: 7 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: three tennis balls and a tall cone for each pair.
  • Pass the Cone Tops Around the Ring 1. A passing game for a ring of six. Everyone holds a tall cone upright by its base with a tennis ball resting on the tip. 2. One player counts aloud. On each count, hand your cone to the player on your right and take the one that comes from your left. 3. Count the passes before a ball falls. When one does, its holder puts it back and the count starts again at one. 4. At twenty, the counter speeds up. At forty, the cones go around the other way. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 6 to 30. You need: a tall cone and a tennis ball each.

How this list was compiled: Our list for a gym class with a bag of tennis balls and no rackets, sorted by kind of game. The wording, the ages and the player counts are ours, and so are the rules: no outside source is quoted. Every throw is underhand, no ball is thrown to hit a player, and nobody is put out. Every game was checked against these rules on 12 October 2026. Licence: own work

How it works

These PE games with tennis balls need a ball, a floor and sometimes a wall, a hoop or a cone. The page opens on the bounce-and-catch games, five for partners and one for three.

Read the full guide

One ball for two

Eleven games give each pair one ball, so a class of 24 plays them on twelve. Bounce and Swap Spots, Crossfire, Cone Top Carry and Pass the Cone Tops take a ball each.

Where the ball goes

Every throw is underhand, and no ball is thrown to hit a player. The wall games need a stretch of bare wall for each pair or line.

Questions and answers

What is a PE game with a tennis ball on a cone?

There are five. Cone Top Carry and Do Not Wake the Garden take a whole class at once. Middle Cone is a rolling duel for two, Hand Tee makes the cone a batting tee, and Pass the Cone Tops suits a ring of six.

What are good PE games with tennis balls for a big class?

Call the Bounces and Copy My Bounce. Each runs in pairs on one ball, so thirty players need fifteen balls and nobody waits. Neither needs other equipment or a wall.

Which tennis ball games need a wall?

The six wall games. Wall Sevens and Throw for Me, Catch for You suit pairs. Wall Conveyor and Name Off the Wall share one ball among four or five, which helps when wall space is short.

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