A New Playground Feature - Introducing the Gaga Pit

Gaga is a fast-moving and high-energy game that keeps all children active and engaged. Gaga requires no special athletic skill or ability and is enjoyed by children of all ages as attested by our students.

A bit of history

Gaga is a game that has many names! Gaga, Gaga Ball, Ga-ga, Octo-ball. It is a form of dodgeball that originated in Israel in the 1970s and spread when Israeli counsellors brought the game to summer camps around the world. Players start in a “pit”, an octagon shaped court, hitting and rolling the ball with their hand to eliminate other players. When players are hit below the waist, they are out but players can always re-enter the game by catching a ball from the sidelines.

Gaga Rules

1. Players start inside the pit touching the sides. One player throws the gaga ball up into the air. Players yell “Ga” as it bounces and the ball is in play after the second bounce (“Ga-Ga”).

2. Players can hit the ball with one hand, but cannot pick up and throw it.

3. If the ball touches a player anywhere on or below the waist, that player is eliminated.

4. A player cannot catch the ball, they may block it and “dribble” it for 3 seconds, then it must touch the wall or another player to be in play.

5. Players may not kick the ball since this means touching the ball below the knee.

6. If the ball is hit out of the pit, then the last player to touch the ball is out.

7. Players who are out must leave the gaga pit immediately.

8. Players who are outside the pit after elimination who catch a ball leaving the pit earn another chance to go back into the pit to play.

9. The last player out is the winner and gets to start the next game.