Crabbie in the Middle 🦀🦞
A fun interception + lob accuracy game teaching footwork, throwing/hitting height, and spatial awareness.
🌟 Story / Theme
“The crabs are stuck in their sandy channel…
but around them are the sneaky lobsters, trying to lob the ball over their heads!”
Crabbies shuffle side-to-side trying to catch.
Lobsters must move cleverly to find space.
🎯 Objective
• Teach kids how to lob (high throw)
• Develop side-step & crossover movement for crabs
• Improve decision-making (find space vs. force throw)
• Build rally skills in progressions
• Encourage teamwork and tactical thinking
🧩 Setup
Crab Channel
• Two parallel lines of cones → long “lane” across length of space
• Crabbies must stay inside
Lobster Spots
• One player on each end of the crab lane
• Larger groups: 2–3 lobsters per side rotating throws
• Lobsters start free to move side-to-side along their line
Equipment
• Start with footballs or large soft balls
• Later → soft tennis balls, mini reds
• Crabbies progress to mini nets → then rackets
▶️ How to Play
Crabbie starts in the lane
Lobsters throw (lob) the ball over the crab’s head to the player opposite
Lobsters can move side to side to create a better angle
Crabbie shuffles, side steps, crosses over to try to catch
If the ball lands cleanly with the opposite lobster → 1 point
If Crabbie catches, they swap positions with the thrower
New round begins immediately
🔺 Progressions
1️⃣ Crabbie Uses a Mini Net
• Lobsters still lob high
• Crabbie tries to catch using a hand-held mini net
• Great for tracking and soft hands
2️⃣ Crabbie Uses a Racket to Catch
• Racket held like a crab claw
• Must secure the ball on the strings
• Slower balls recommended
3️⃣ Lobsters Must STAY Where They Receive the Ball
• Once a lobster catches/receives the ball, they cannot move
• Forces variety:
– short lobs
– long lobs
– angled lobs
– throwing from awkward distances
4️⃣ Hitting Version (Advanced Troopers/Titans)
• Lobsters use rackets to hit gentle lobs
• Crabbie uses mini net or racket to catch
• Keep all hitters on one side for safety if rackets are used
🪶 Feathers (Make It Easier)
• Use bigger balls
• Bring throwers closer
• Allow the crab to catch after bounce
• Make the crab channel wider
• Let lobsters take a small step forward before throwing
🔥 Challenges (Harder)
• Two balls in play
• Lobsters must alternate: high lob → low skim → high lob
• Crabbie must stay low entire round
• Timed challenge: “Crab has 20 seconds to survive!”
• Lobsters score double if they lob without moving
🛡️ Safety Notes
• Always use soft balls
• When using rackets:
– Keep both lobsters on the same side of the channel
– Large spacing
• Crabbie must stay inside their lane
• No throwing at faces — all lobs must be up & over