Dot Ball 360°, a simple activity that incorporates cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains, while maintaining a fun atmosphere, all the components needed for your physical education curriculum.
This activity was originated in 2022 by childhood friends Ryan St. Denis and Mike Garcia. The product is a dynamic and inclusive team sport that combines elements of Spike ball, a fast-paced game played with a small trampoline-like net, and Pickleball, a racket sport.
The game emphasizes agility, hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and strategic thinking. In Dot Ball 360°, players use paddles to hit a ball onto a circular board, aiming to outmaneuver opponents and score points.
The State University of New York at Cortland Alliance of Physical Education Majors (APEM) attended the SHAPE America conference last March and met the creators of the game. Students were given the opportunity to play and learn about the rules of Dot Ball 360°.
“When we first saw people playing the game, we were instantly intrigued,” said APEM Treasurer Ryan Kolman. “The creators started to explain the rules of the game to us but they said it was easier to learn by playing.”
The first time the SUNY Cortland students played Dot Ball 360°, it was against students from East Carolina University. Ever since they played, they were hooked.
“The creators of Dot Ball 360° gifted APEM a complete Dot Ball set,” said Kolman. “Now we are able to explain the rules and benefits of the game to other students in our major here at Cortland.”
APEM has worked closely with the organization since they attended the conference. Dot ball 360° currently posts content of APEM members Ryan, James, and Rachel playing the game on their social media platforms to promote the product.
“We hope that this game will create friendships like we have, benefit kids and adults physically and psychological, and grow into something special for all,” said creator Ryan St. Denis. “Play anyone, anywhere!”
The physical education majors of SUNY Cortland believe in this mission statement, and it is an activity that they can implement into their own curriculums.
“It is easy to learn and play but it’s unique in the way that it’s made and structured,” said senior Jared Rago. “I would like to incorporate Dot Ball 360° into the curriculum as I finish my student teaching at Ward Melville High School.”
The activity is interesting in that it reflects other activities currently implemented in a physical education environment. Dot Ball 360° can allow students to improve their skills with sports like tennis or pickleball, or it is a good buffer to see what students understand before entering a unit.
“It works as a modification to complex concepts,” said Kolman. “It is a steppingstone to more advanced lifetime activities.”
Dot Ball 360° offers numerous physical benefits that can enhance a physical education class.
“We can promote health related fitness if the game is used in curriculum,” said APEM President James Patterson. “Cardiovascular Endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition are a few physical benefits to implementing this activity.”
Future and current physical education teachers will likely witness the increasing prominence of the game. Get your Dot Ball 360° set today!