Koolchee

Underarm Bowl

Based on the traditional game played by the Diyari people from near Lake Eyre in South Australia, this challenge has pairs working together to knock over a skittle or target by throwing balls or frisbees (Koolchee) with precision. Earn points for hitting the target and bonus points for toppling it.

Set up

Play this game in a flat outdoor or indoor area, such as a basketball court. Organise players into pairs, with each pair lining up at least 10 metres apart. Place a skittle or target at both ends of the playing zone, one near each pair. Mark a throwing line a few metres in front of each skittle, where players will stand to throw. Provide each pair with a ball, beanbag, or frisbee as their throwing equipment. Children take turns aiming at the skittle at their partner’s end from their designated throwing line. 

Ensure there is enough space between pairs for safe movement and throwing.

How to play
Step 1:
  • On the educator's instruction, the first thrower in each pair steps up to the throwing line and throws their ball at the skittle located at the opposite end of the court
  • If the skittle is knocked over, the thrower earns one point
  • Once the skittle is reset, the game continues
  • After the throw, the other partner retrieves the ball, moves to their throwing line, and takes their turn to throw at the skittle on the opposite end
  • Continue the game by alternating turns between partners in this sequence
Step 2:
  • Scoring:
    • Award 1 point to the player who knocks over the skittle.
  • Play for 2-3 minutes
Step 3:

Once players understand the game and rules, add variety by introducing a round-robin format. 

  • Rotate players down the line so they face new opponents in each round.
  • This game can also be adapted to practice kicking skills, such as soccer or AFL kicks

 

Adapted from Yulunga Traditional Indigenous Games. Yulunga Traditional Indigienous Games is a product of the Australian Sports Commission, extensively researched and collated by Ken Edwards with assistance from Troy Meston.

Variations
Make it easier
  • Roll the ball instead of throwing
  • Reduce the space between players and skittles
  • Place more skittle 3 or 4 to aim for
Make it harder
  • Increase the distance between players and skittles
  • Use a smaller ball or a frisbee
  • Change throwing arm to non-preferred
Activity information
Age: Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
Participants: 2 +
Equipment: Balls, Beanbags (optional), Frisbees (optional), Witches Hats
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

Before starting share the background of this game:

This ball throwing and hitting game was played by Aboriginal people in the Lake Eyre district of South Australia. The balls used were as round as possible and were usually about 8–10 centimetres in diameter. Gypsum, sandstone, mud, or almost any material that was easy to work was used to make the balls. To play the game, players were in two teams and lined up on each side of a dry clay pan. Each team then rolled the balls along the ground to the other side with the aim being to break up an opponent’s ball by hitting it while it was moving. When balls cannoned out of play to the sides they were left until the stock of balls was nearly used up. These were often retrieved by the small boys and put into play again. The game was played for hours and usually until the balls left were too few to cause any excitement. The balls were called koolchees.

Physical literacy tips
  • Encourage self-scoring and umpiring
  • Allow pairs to choose from a variety of different sized balls or equipment
  • Encourage positive communication between each other – saying " well done" and "good game "