MICHAEL IN THE MIDDLE: Fun Basketball Passing PE Skill Game

Get your students passing like pros with “MICHAEL IN THE MIDDLE” – a Super Fun Basketball Passing PE Skill Game!

Michael in the Middle

This engaging PE teacher and basketball coach resource turns basic passing drills into an exciting, high-energy challenge where students work in small groups to keep the ball moving while avoiding the defender in the middle— “Michael” as in The LEGENDARY… MICHAEL JORDAN.

Hi there, it’s so great to meet you! I’m Mrs. T. or you can call me Jen – a Michigan mom, wife, new grandma (aka “Jemma”) and K-12 PE teacher who is on a mission to MAKE SCHOOL FUN AGAIN!

Michael in the Middle is Perfect for elementary PE warm-ups, basketball units, or skill-building stations.

This extremely low-prep, almost zero equipment game, boosts chest passes, bounce passes, and partner communication while keeping kids active, laughing, and begging for more gym time!

MICHAEL IN THE MIDDLE is a TOTAL BLAST! So, if you’re ready, let’s do this!

READY! SET! LET’S PLAY MICHAEL IN THE MIDDLE!

BASKETBALL FOCUS SKILL: Bounce Passing

Equipment Needed

SUPPLIES NEEDED for this Station:

1 BASKETBALL
KIDS READY TO HAVE A BLAST!

This basketball skill game works best as a small group (4-10 students) station activity.

Game Set-Up

This is a no-prep setup station – YAY! Just simply place one basketball in the area where you want this station to be. That’s it.

Game Instructions

Have 4-10 students make a wide circle. Then, choose one student to be “Michael” as in “Michael Jordan” and have them stand in the middle of the circle.

Outside players pass the ball only using bounce passes to each other around the circle.
The “Michael” in the middle tries to grab or intercept the ball before an outside player catches it.
If “Michael” gains control of the ball before an outside catcher does, the passer becomes the new Michael.

Station Tips

TIP #1: You can make it easier by having students stand closer together, and harder by spreading the circle out or adding a second ball.

TIP #2: For safety reasons, I usually use playground balls instead of regular basketballs with my K-2 students.

TIP #3: If you want to work on basketball chest passes with your students and still keep this game safe, just use playground balls instead of regular basketballs.

TIP #4: I also love to take an opportunity to educate my students and share fun facts about the great Michael Jordan whenever we play this simply, but super fun, game in class.

Michael Jordan - Fun Fact - Love 2 Teach and Learn

TIP #5: This game also makes a great Basketball PE Station and is included in my 10 Mega Fun Basketball PE Stations Resource.

10 BASKETBALL PE STATIONS - March Fun BUNDLE Physical Education Games Activities

This low prep, minimal equipment game is also a very easy emergency PE lesson plan to leave for a substitute teacher. Just print off, gather up a basketball and you’re good to go.

If you’re looking for more easy, fun, and super unique (not boring) Low or No Prep physical education games and PE Projects, I’ve got a bunch more for you.

How about a game of BULLSEYE BAGS (cornhole in the gym), CRAZY BALL SOCCER , BAS*KICK*BALL (Basketball + Kickball), or an energizing and educational brain break game of CATCH & STACK?

Huge Physical Education Growing Bundle - PE Games and Teacher Resources

Grab your Physical Education HUGE GROWING BUNDLE Right Here!

Be sure to check out my other unique and fun Teacher Resources (Instant Bulletin Boards, Fun Classroom Decor, Learning and PE Games) in my Love 2 Teach and Learn TPT store RIGHT HERE!