Ball games are sports or activities where players use a ball to play.

A ball can
be any round object that you can pass, kick, or throw to achieve different
goals. Ball games are great for fun and exercise!

Examples of Ball Games

Let’s look at some examples of ball games:

Soccer (Football): In soccer, players use their feet to kick a ball into the
opponent’s goal.

Basketball: Basketball players try to score by shooting a ball through the

opponent’s hoop.

Tennis: In tennis, players hit a ball over a net using a racket, aiming to win
points.

Baseball: Baseball involves hitting a ball with a bat and running around bases
to score runs.

Volleyball: Players hit a ball over a net to score points in volleyball.

Cricket: Cricket players use a bat and a ball to score runs and get opponents
out.

Dodgeball: In dodgeball, players try to hit each other with a ball while
dodging incoming throws.

Table Tennis (Ping Pong): Table tennis is played with a small ball on a table,
using paddles to rally the ball back and forth.

Rugby: In rugby, players run with an oval-shaped ball and aim to score by
crossing the opponent’s goal line.

Hockey: In hockey, players use a stick to hit a ball into the opponent’s goal.

Importance of Ball Games

Ball games are essential for various reasons:

They provide exercise and help us stay physically fit.

Ball games promote teamwork and cooperation.

They are fun and allow us to make friends and socialize.

Ball games help improve skills like hand-eye coordination and agility.

Ball games are a fantastic way to have fun, stay active, and learn valuable
skills. Whether you’re kicking a soccer ball, hitting a tennis ball, or playing
any other ball game, they offer a world of excitement and opportunities!

Rules And Regulations in Football

The aim of football is to score more goals than your opponent in a 90 minute
playing time frame. The match is split up into two halves of 45 minutes. After
the first 45 minutes players will take a 15 minute rest period called half time.
After which the second 45 minutes will resume.

Rules of Football

A match consists of two 45 minute halves with a 15 minute rest period in

between.

Each team can have a minimum of 11 players and a minimum of 7 players

are needed to start a match.

The field must be made of either artificial or natural grass.

The ball must have a circumference of 58-61cm and be of a circular shape.

Each team can name up to 7 substitute players.

If the game needs to head to extra time as a result of both teams being level
in a match then 30 minutes will be added in the form of two 15 minute
halves after the allotted 90 minutes.

If teams are still level after extra time then a penalty shootout must take
place.

The whole ball must cross the goal line for it to be a goal.

For fouls committed a player could receive either a yellow or red card
depending on the severity of the foul. The yellow is a warning and a red card
is a dismissal of that player. Two yellow cards will equal one red.

The Offside Rule in Football

Offside can be called when an attacking player is in front of the last defender
when the pass is played through to them.

THE RULES AND REGULATIONS IN TABLE TENNIS

A player must not distract the attention of his opponent.

A player must not intentionally wet the ball before serving

The ball must be shown as service is delivered.

Opponent must be ready before service is delivered.

The ball must bounce once before it is returned

No part of the body is allowed to touch the table during play.

The ball must not hit twice consecutively to get it over the net.

If the bat drops, the palm cannot be used to return the ball.

The hand must not be placed on the table when making return.

A served ball that touches the net and drops on the receiver’s side of the
table is a let and shall be reserved.

A served ball that touches the net and drops at the server’s side of the tables
is a point to the receiver.

A served ball must touch the server’s side of the table before the opponent’s
side of the table.

VOLLEYBALL OFFICIATING RULES

1. Each team consist of 6 players and 6 substitutes.

2. Each team can hit the ball up to three times before the ball must be
returned.

3. The defensive team can then try and block or return the ball again
hitting it a maximum of three times.
 4. Games are played up to 25 points and must be won by 2 clear points.

5. Violations will be called for the following:

6. Stepping over the base line when serving the ball.

7. Ball hits the net and fails to get over the net.

8. Players are not allowed to carry, palm or run with the ball.

9. Players must not touch the net with any part of the body. If the net is said
to have hit them rather than vice-versa, then this is ok.

10. The ball cannot travel under the net.

11. Players cannot reach over the net and hit the ball.

Basic Rules in Basketball Game

Basketball is a team game. We play together, pass the ball, and help each
other to score points.

Dribble, Don’t Run:

When you have the ball, you can’t run with it. You have to dribble it by
bouncing it while you move.

No Double Dribble:
You can’t stop dribbling and then start again. Keep dribbling or pass the ball
to a friend.

Stay in Bounds:

The basketball court has lines. You need to stay inside the lines while
playing. Don’t step out!

No Pushing or Grabbing:

You can’t push or grab other players. Play fair and be gentle!

Fouls and Free Throws:

If someone breaks the rules, it’s called a foul. The other team gets a chance
to shoot free throws.

Scoring Points:

You score points by throwing the ball into the hoop. Each basket is worth a
certain number of points.

Jump Balls:

Sometimes, we have a jump ball to start the game. Two players jump to see
who gets the ball first.

HANDBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS

The game is played on a rectangular court with a goal at each end. Players
use their hands to pass, dribble, and shoot the ball, aiming to outscore the
opposing team within the match duration

1. A match consists of two periods of 30 minutes each.

2. Each team consists of 7 players (including the goalkeeper).

 3. A player can dribble or take three steps for up to three seconds without
dribbling.

4. After three seconds, it is a violation.

Rules and safety regulations

Just like every other sport, hockey has its own rules and safety
regulations, most of which is binding between the start and stop of
play.

Starting: Home team takes the center pass and away team chooses
direction. The ball must be passed back at the start of a game. No one
may cross the midfield line until the ball has moved.
Duration: Length of the games will be two 35-minute halves on a
running clock.
The number of players: Each team will play with 11 field players
including a goalkeeper, and five substitute players remain on the
sideline.
Goal: A goal is scored when an attacker strikes the ball into the goal
from within the striking circle.
Ball shielding: Players may not shield the ball using their body or stick.
All players must have an equal chance to play the ball.
Free hit: This is like free kick in soccer. It is awarded to the non-
offending side following an infraction and is usually taken at the spot
the foul occurs.

Ball Games OFFICIALS AND THEIR DUTIES

Football
1. REFEREE

The referee is the person empowered to enforce the laws during the
game of play.

LINESMAN

Linesman are two assistant referees empowered to assist the main

referee during game of play.

Volleyball
The volleyball referee team includes:
1. The first referee – The first referee stands on the referee
stand and controls the play of the entire game. Whatever
issues arise during the game, the first referee determines
the call and the has the final say.

2. The second referee – The second referee works to assist the

first referee throughout the game. The second referee is in
charge of all substitutions, timeouts and the actions of the
scores table.

3. The scorer – The official scorer keeps track of the score

throughout the volleyball game.

4. The two line judges – At least two line judges monitor each
game.

The officials in basketball are:

The referee (chief referee and two other)

A timekeeper

A scorer

A recorder

And basketball officials duties includes: The chief referee is the

senior official, and his duties include:

He inspects and approve all equipment

He tosses the ball at the centre to start the play.

He decides whether a goal shall count in case of disagreement.

 He decides issues on which the time-keeper and scorer
disagree.

He examines and approves the scores at the end of each half,

he also makes decisions on any points not covered by the
rules.

Referees:- The duties of the two referees are combined and

includes the following:

They conduct the game according to the rules.

They allow substitutes to come on to the court.

They order a time-out and decide whether they become dead.

They count seconds when a player must play, pass the ball or
short.

Time-keeper:- His duties are:-

To keep accurate check on the playing time.

To record both the play time and time for stoppages as

provided for in the rule.

Scorekeeper:- His duties are:

To take down points scored by each player.

He records personal and technical fouls or players.

He signals when the player has a total of five fouls.

He records time-out of each team and informs the teams and

referees the number of time-outs each team has had.

Recorder:- He is responsible for recording the scores of each

team on the big board.

OFFICIALS AND THEIR DUTIES

A game of handball is officiated by four officials – two referees, a scorekeeper

and a timekeeper. The two referees impose the rules and control the game.
The scorekeeper keeps the goals record while the timekeeper keeps time.
POSITION OF THE PLAYERS ON THE FIELDS

Each Football team has 11 players and among these players, 1 is a

goalkeeper. Be it the offensive or defensive team, the player’s responsibility
is to score a goal for the team and stop the opposing team from scoring a
goal.

Following diagram shows various positions of the players on a football field.

A list of player positions and their responsibilities is also provided.

Goalkeeper – The main aim of a goalkeeper is to stop the opposing team

from scoring a goal. The goalkeeper is restricted to the rectangular penalty
area which is 18 yards away from the goal and he is the only player in the
game who is allowed to use his hands to stop the ball.

Defenders – The defenders are positioned in front of the goalkeeper and their
aim is to stop the opposing team from entering into their goal area.


Outside fullback – They play on the left and right flanks and see that the ball
doesn’t pass over them. They rarely move from their positions.

Central Defenders – They are positioned in the center of the field and are
supposed to cover the leading goal scorer of the opposition’s team.

Midfielders – They are the link between the defenders and attackers. They
need to be fit and physically very strong than other players on the field as
they are the players who run maximum time of the game all around the field.
Their responsibility is to enter the opposing team’s area and see that they
defend them when the opposing team retains the ball.

Forwards – Their main aim is to score goals or to create an easy situation for
their teammates to score a goal.

Center Forward – The most tactful, dangerous and strong player of the game.
They are also called strikers. Strikers are basically the leading goal scorers in
the game.

POSITION OF PLAYERS ON THE BASKETBALL COURT

 1. Centre

The centre is generally the tallest player who is positioned near the basket as
he must be able to get up as high as possible for rebounds.

2. Power forward
The power forwards are usually the next tallest players in the team, who are
closest to the centre in physical attributes and playing style, but with more
speed.

3. Small forward

The small forward is usually the shorter of the two forwards on the team.

However, the small forward must have enough height and ability to play
inside, and on top of that, play like the centres and power forwards, but also
be able to guard.

4. Shooting guard

The shooting guard is potentially the shortest player in the team.

However, he has to be good at dribbling fast, passing and having court vision
by seeing the court.

He is responsible for bringing the ball down the court and setting up
offensive plays

5. Point guard
The point guard needs to be the best ball handler, dribbler and passer as he
handles the ball the most out of all the players on the team.

He needs to bring the ball down the court and initiate offensive plays.

Position of Players in hockey game

A hockey team consists of 11 players per side and is divided into forward,
midfield, defending and goalkeeping positions. Like most sports the team has
very clear roles to support their overall success:

Goalkeeper – the goalkeeper is responsible for the defensive circle and

should support the leadership of the defence.
Defenders – similar to all invasion games, the defence must work as a unit
and limit the opposition’s chances of scoring. However, the modern game
dictates that they also have attacking responsibilities. Defence positions
include:

Right half

Left half

Right back

Left back

Midfielders – the midfielders are required to support and contribute to the

attack through the inside right and inside left positions, whilst maintaining
key defensive responsibilities. The midfield needs to stop attacks through the
middle of the field and in possession be good distributors of the ball. Midfield
positions include:

Inside right

Inside left

Centre half

Attackers – the attackers are responsible for generating and scoring

opportunities, but they are also the first line of defence. A team’s ability to
‘reverse press’ (putting defenders under pressure) is an essential part of the
modern game. Attacking positions include:

Right wing

Left wing

Centre forward

TRADITIONAL SPORT

Traditional sports are indigenous games played before the modern. Just like
culture, sports are shared among individual and group. Sport is probably
known as old as the man itself. Every country in the world has its own
traditional kinds of sport.

TYPES OF TRADITIONAL SPORTS

There are a number of traditional sports in Nigeria that need to be promoted.
Mr. Francis Akinemi of the National Institute for Sports, Lagos listed some of
them in his paper Traditional sports and games in Nigeria (1995) as Ayo,
Aarin, Abula, Kokawa, Dambe and langa.

AYO OLOPON (SEEDED GAME)

Ayo olopon is a Yoruba board game. It is known as Mancala game in Egypt. It

has different names in different places. It is a popular game among the
western Nigeria. Ayo olopon is Intellectual game that requires a lot of
mathematical skill.

AARIN (AFRICAN BILLIARDS GAME)

Aarin is a popular game known as African Billiards Game. It has a lot of
similarities with the western world billiards. The place of cue in the western
billiards has being taken up by the bullet seeds. The game is formally played
on the group but now, there is an improvement in the game. It is now played
on a well designed board. The game is commonly played among the Yoruba
people of South Western Nigeria.

ABULA (BALL GAME)

Abula is a popular game game played across many parts of the country
especially in the south west, Nigeria. It is like a volleyball game with a
striking resemblance. The main different is that players are not allowed to
touch the ball with their hands.

KOKAWA (TRADITIONAL WRESTLING)

Kokawa is a traditional fight or wrestling in Northern part of Nigeria, most

especially in Niger state. This kind of sport has a close connection with
traditional customs and takes place only during the festivals. In history, the
physical force and techniques remain mystical and living legends.

DAMBE (TRADITIONAL BOXING)

Dambe is a traditional boxing game in Northern part of Nigeria and mostly

associated with the Hausa people. It was also traditionally practiced as a way
for men to get ready for war, and many of the sport’s techniques and
terminology allude to warfare.

LANGA (HOPPING GAME)


Langa is one of the famous traditional sport in the Northern Nigeria. Langa
means hopping on one leg in Hausa language. As famous as the sport is, it is
virtually unknown to most states in the southern part of the country to say
nothing of the outside world. It is mostly played by the youths aged between
10 to 20

Importance or values OF TRADITIONAL SPORTS

1. It promotes national unity.

2. It foster peace among the people.

3. It enhance sense of belonging.

4. It promotes physical fitness.

5. It teaches important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, leadership,

and respect for authority.

6. It preserves our cultural heritage.

7. It strengthen the bond of national ideology.