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

1. Crabbie starts in the lane

2. Lobsters throw (lob) the ball over the crab’s head to the player opposite

3. Lobsters can move side to side to create a better angle

4. Crabbie shuffles, side steps, crosses over to try to catch

5. If the ball lands cleanly with the opposite lobster → 1 point

6. If Crabbie catches, they swap positions with the thrower

7. 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