Games (Grade 10 NSC Matric Life Orientation): Revision Notes

Games

Games are an essential part of physical education, helping you develop fitness, coordination, teamwork, and strategic thinking. This unit focuses on traditional and indigenous games that have been played for generations, each offering unique physical and mental challenges. These games require minimal equipment but provide maximum fun and learning opportunities.

Kho-kho

Kho-kho is an exciting traditional running game that tests your speed, agility, and tactical thinking. This fast-paced game involves two teams taking turns as chasers and runners.

Aim of the game

The main goal is to eliminate all players from the opposing team by chasing and touching them. Your team scores points for each successful catch while minimising fouls.

What you need

You'll need a rectangular playing field with eight small squares (30 x 30 cm each) marked in the middle. These squares should be arranged in a line with equal spacing. Place a pole or stick at one end of the field to mark the boundary.

How to play

The game involves two teams of nine players each. Every player receives a number for identification. One team becomes the runners (Team 1) while the other becomes the chasers (Team 2).

At the start, all Team 1 members position themselves in the eight squares, with players facing alternating directions - even-numbered players face north, odd-numbered players face south. Three players from Team 2 enter the playing area as active chasers, with one designated as the main chaser.

The main chaser pursues the runner from Team 1, who can move freely around the field while staying within boundaries. When the chaser wants to change direction or needs help, they can call "Kho!" to a teammate facing the same direction. That teammate then takes over the chase.

The runner is eliminated if touched by a chaser, if they step outside the playing area, or if they enter the playing area late. When a runner is caught, they're replaced by the next team member.

Rules and scoring

Several important rules keep the game fair and exciting. No substitutions are allowed unless someone gets injured, and rough tackling results in immediate removal from the game. Chasers can only turn around three times in seven minutes, and they must run to the end pole before crossing the centre line to change direction.

The score-keeper counts successful catches and fouls committed by the chasers. Your final score equals catches minus fouls.

The game consists of two seven-minute halves with a two-minute interval between them. After the first half, teams swap roles - the runners become chasers and vice versa. The team with the highest total score wins.

Dibeke

Dibeke is a high-energy running ball game that demands excellent fitness levels and ball-handling skills. This team sport combines elements of rugby and football, creating an exciting and physically demanding experience.

Aim of the game

Your objective is to score the most points by kicking the ball past the halfway line of the defending team and successfully running to the other side of the pitch.

What you need

You need a ball suitable for kicking and a playing area with a clearly marked halfway line dividing the field into two equal sections.

How to play

Form two teams of twelve players each, ensuring balanced participation with six girls and six boys per team if possible. Each team must select a captain and a score-keeper to track individual player performance throughout the match.

The game alternates between attacking and defending phases. The attacking team attempts to kick the ball past the halfway line, while the defending team tries to prevent this and catch the ball before it crosses the line.

When an attacker successfully kicks the ball past the halfway line, they must run to the other side of the pitch to score one point. However, if defenders catch the ball mid-air during the kick, the teams immediately swap roles.

Defenders can eliminate attackers by throwing the ball at them. If all attackers reach the other end without being hit, the attacking team scores a point. Alternatively, if defenders eliminate all attackers, the defending team scores a point and the roles reverse.

The dynamic nature of this game means teams constantly switch between attacking and defending, requiring players to adapt quickly and maintain high energy levels throughout.

Diketo

Diketo is a traditional coordination game played with stones that develops hand-eye coordination, timing, and concentration skills. This individual game can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels.

Aim of the game

The goal is simple yet challenging - collect as many stones as possible through skilled throwing and catching techniques.

What you need

You need about twelve small stones and either a small hole dug in the ground or a circle drawn with chalk or a stick. The stones should be small enough to hold comfortably in one hand.

How to play

Begin by placing all stones except one in the hole or circle. Throw the remaining stone into the air, then quickly scoop out all the stones from the hole before catching the thrown stone. Keep one stone and return the others to the hole.

Repeat this process, each time throwing a stone up and collecting the others before catching the airborne stone. The challenge increases as you must grab more stones while the thrown stone is in the air. Each successful catch allows you to keep one additional stone before returning the rest.

Continue playing for several rounds, then let another player have their turn. The player who collects the most stones wins the game. This game requires practice to develop the timing and coordination needed to succeed.

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a unique running game that combines physical strength with breath control. This traditional game requires players to hold their breath while attempting to tag opponents, making it both physically and mentally challenging.

Aim of the game

Your team's objective is to catch or touch as many opposing team members as possible while maintaining breath control, demonstrated by continuously chanting "kabaddi, kabaddi."

What you need

You need a small playing area such as a courtyard with a line drawn down the middle to separate the two team sections.

How to play

Create two teams of twelve players each, with seven players from each team active on the court at any given time. The remaining five players stay in reserve, ready to substitute when needed.

One team member takes a deep breath and crosses into the opponent's territory while continuously chanting "kabaddi, kabaddi" to prove they haven't taken another breath. This player, called the raider, must touch or catch opposing team members without becoming breathless.

The defending team tries to prevent the raider from returning to their side by holding or tackling them. If the raider becomes breathless or fails to return to their territory, they're eliminated. However, if the raider successfully touches opponents and returns while still holding their breath, those touched opponents are eliminated.

Teams score one point for each opponent caught or touched. The team with the highest score when play ends becomes the winner. This game requires excellent physical fitness and breath control techniques.

Drie stokkies

Drie stokkies is an energetic running and jumping game that progressively increases in difficulty. This game develops jumping ability, coordination, and competitive spirit among participants.

Aim of the game

The challenge is to run and jump over sticks that become progressively further apart, testing your jumping distance and athletic ability.

What you need

You need three sticks and an open field or piece of ground with enough space for running and jumping safely.

How to play

Start by laying the three sticks on the ground, spacing them exactly one metre apart from each other. Players take turns running and jumping over each stick three consecutive times.

After everyone has completed the first round, the challenge increases. The last player to successfully complete the jumping sequence moves the sticks further apart, maintaining equal distances between them.

Continue with additional rounds of running and jumping, with the sticks becoming progressively more spaced out after each complete round. Players must maintain the same jumping pattern - three jumps over three sticks - regardless of the increased distances.

The winner is determined by who can successfully jump the furthest distances as the sticks continue to be moved apart. This game becomes increasingly challenging and requires excellent jumping technique and leg strength.

Blikkies

Blikkies is a skill-based game that develops throwing accuracy, teamwork, and strategic thinking. This target practice game combines individual accuracy with team cooperation.

Aim of the game

Your team's goal is to score points by accurately hitting tin targets with a ball, then successfully completing additional challenges to earn maximum points.

What you need

Stack three tins on top of each other to create your target. You also need a ball or round stone for throwing, plus a stick or piece of chalk for drawing lines in the sand or on the ground.

How to play

Divide into two teams and take turns attempting to knock over the tin stack. Each player gets three attempts to hit the target. If unsuccessful after three tries, the other team gets their chance.

When someone successfully hits the tins, that player must quickly run to the fallen tins and stack them back up. While restacking, they must also draw a square around the tins using their stick or chalk, shout "Blikkies!" loudly, and hop over the tins three times.

Each successful hit scores one point for your team. The opposing team can try to prevent scoring by hitting the tin-stacker with the ball before they complete all required actions.

The first team to reach 21 points wins the game. Alternatively, you can play for a set time period and declare the team with the most points as the winner. This game requires both accuracy in throwing and speed in completing the post-hit challenges.