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Gaga Pit Rules

GaGa Ball Information

  • Medford Public Schools has two Gaga Ball Pits in the district:
    • McGlynn Elementary School
    • Roberts Elementary School
  • If you would like the code to use the wheelchair accessible gate, please email medfordrecreation@medford-ma.gov. Please do not share the code.
  • To keep the gate in working order, please put the lock back on it.
  • No animals allowed in the pit
Wheelchair Icon

How to Play

Medford Public Schools plays “Rotation Rules” during school hours and after school. Start with up to 15 students in the pit, others wait near the cut-out for their turn. As one person gets out, the next person in line goes into the game. The person who is out goes to the end of the line and waits to go back in.

Elimination games can be played if everyone agrees outside of school hours. When only two players remain, everyone counts down from 10. If no one gets out, a tie is called and the game starts over.

To Start a Game of Gaga Ball:

  • All players in the pit start with one hand touching a side wall.
  • One player tosses the ball in the air toward the center of the pit; the ball must bounce twice on the ground before anyone lets go of the wall. On each of the first two bounces, players yell “Ga” as the ball hits the ground, then it is in play for anyone to hit (“Ga, Ga, Go!”). You can move around anywhere inside the pit during the game, but not sit on the wall.
  • Slap-hit the ball with an open hand, aiming it at another player’s leg at the knee or below. Players may not hold or scoop the ball. If the ball hits or touches anyone at the knee or below, that player is out and must exit the pit and go to the back of the line.
  • All players must exit the pit when they are out, they may not sit on the walls or stay in the pit.
  • Anytime the ball goes out of the pit, the last person the ball touched is out.
  • A player cannot touch the ball two times in a row - the ball must first touch another player or the pit wall or it is a “double touch” and the player is out. Players can “dribble” the ball off the wall as many times as they want.
  • If another player catches the ball that was hit at them, the player who hit that ball is out.

A Player is OUT if They:

  • Let go of the wall before “Ga, Ga, Go” is said
  • Gets hit by the ball at the knee or below
  • Hit the ball with 2 hands
  • Hit the ball with a closed fist
  • Scoop or throw the ball
  • Touch the ball twice in a row without the ball hitting the wall or another person first “Double touch”
  • Hit the ball out of the pit (or being the last person the ball touches before going out). It’s your job to go get the ball!
  • Sit on or jump on the wall to avoid getting hit “Wall jumping”
  • Playing on your knees or crouching down “Turtling”