Come Out and Play – Bomba
Here’s how to play:
• First one person should be chosen to be “it.”
• Everyone else should form a circle around the “it” person.
• The player in the middle should close their eyes and count silently to themselves.
• The players in the circle should pass (not throw the ball) around the circle.
• When the “it” player reaches 10, he or she should raise one arm.
• When the “it” player reaches 20, he or she should raise the other.
• When he or she reaches 30, the player should yell “Bomba” and clap.
• Whoever is holding the ball when “Bomba” is yelled must sit down with their legs straight out in front of them.
• The game starts again, but this time players must jump over the sitting person’s legs to pass the ball.
• Only jump over one person’s legs at a time.
• As the game continues, it gets more difficult to pass the ball because more people will be sitting down.
• The last player standing wins and becomes the new “it” player.
Bomba is similar to the American game hot potato. It can be played inside or outside and the only equipment needed is a ball. At least five people should play, but there is no limit on how big the group of players can be. It is important that the space is open and can easily fit all of the players in the circle sitting with enough room to jump in between them.