Equipment and Materials

• One or more dodgeballs (soft “no-sting” balls work best)
• Tape or cones to mark a circle or area on the floor

Setup

1. Choose one player to be the president.
2. Choose one player to be the bodyguard.
3. Have the president and bodyguard stand in the middle of the play area.
4. Make a circle around them using tape or cones. This shows where the rest of the players will stand.
5. If you want a greater challenge, mark a small space (about two feet wide) for the president to stay inside.

Game Play

1. The players in the circle throw the ball toward the president, trying to tag them with the ball.
2. The bodyguard moves to block the ball and protect the president. The bodyguard can use any part of the body to stop the ball.
3. The president can move out of the way but cannot touch the ball.
4. If the president touches the ball, the bodyguard becomes the new president. The player who threw the ball becomes the new bodyguard.
5. The game continues without stopping. Players should switch roles quickly to keep the action going.

Variations and Safety

• Add another ball to make the game faster.
• Have two bodyguards if the group is large.
• Remind players to throw gently and aim below the shoulders.
• Make sure there is enough space between players to avoid collisions.
• Encourage fair play and quick transitions when roles change.

See https://young-catholics.com/12129/protect-the-president-game/