catchball

Catchball is a team activity and sport in which players pass a ball by catching it and then throwing it to a teammate. The objective is to keep the ball in play and to prevent it from touching the ground, with rallies continuing as long as passes are completed cleanly. Variants of catchball are used in schools and clubs in East Asia and elsewhere, typically emphasizing hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and teamwork.

Equipment and playing area vary by variant. Most formats use a lightweight, soft ball made of foam or rubber. The playing area is a rectangular court, though many versions are informal and played on gym floors or outdoor surfaces. Some versions employ a net or a dividing line to define sides, while others are netless and rely on open space.

Rules and play can differ between versions, but common elements include catching the ball before passing it and not holding the ball for long. A player who catches the ball must throw it to a teammate rather than run with it. The rally ends if the ball drops, goes out of bounds, or is not caught cleanly, after which possession passes to the opposing team. Scoring, when used, varies by variant and may reward successful consecutive passes or a mishandled return by the other team.

Origins and use: Catchball developed as a school PE activity and training drill to build basic ball-handling skills. It is particularly associated with Japan and Korea, where multiple formats are taught in classrooms and sports clubs. There is no single international governing body; national or local organizations typically establish rules for leagues and events.