November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 14
WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION
Adult Dodgeball Pickup:
Combining Fun and Fitness
By Tara Vroman
D
odgeball is normally a sport associated with children. However,
it is a timeless sport for all ages that originated 200 years
ago and is a staple in recreation programing today. The concept
is simple: throw balls at opposing teams and try not to get
hit in the process. The objective is to eliminate all players and be the last
team or person standing.
As adults, we always are looking
for fun, innovative and costeffective
ways to relive our youth.
In Georgia, Cobb County PARKS
(Cobb PARKS) has been hosting
monthly adult dodgeball meet-ups
that have become increasingly popular.
These informal, unstructured
games bring together adults of all
ages and skill levels for a fun and
competitive experience. So, what is
all the hype about?
Accessibility and Versatility
One of the key attractions of adult
dodgeball is how easy it is to join
in. Unlike most sports, dodgeball
doesn't
require expensive equipment
or specialized skills. All you
need is a group of willing participants
and a few dodgeballs. This
simplicity makes it easy for participants
to play, regardless of their
fitness level or previous experience.
Pickup games are versatile and can
take place in local parks, community
centers or - in Cobb PARKS' case
- recreation centers. The lack of a
rigid structure allows for a casual and
flexible playing environment. People
can come and go throughout the
evening, making it suitable for those
who have irregular schedules or can't
commit to a recreation league.
Connective Competition
Adult dodgeball pickup
games
foster a sense of camaraderie and
social interaction. They provide an
opportunity for individuals to meet
new people, build friendships and
connect with others who share a
love for the game. The relaxed atmosphere
encourages participants
to socialize, have fun and enjoy the
game without pressure.
While the emphasis is on fun,
adult dodgeball games still can be
competitive. All skill levels and
ages can participate. At Ward Recreation
Center, roughly 30 participants
ranging in age from 18 to 72
compete every second Friday of the
month. At any given time, you can
see players making jump throws,
diving for a catch or sprawling out
on the ground to avoid getting hit.
The diversity of this sport adds an
element of unpredictability to the
games, making each match different
and exciting. While athleticism
and strategy don't always come
into play in pickup games, there are
moments of pure gold and hilarity.
One of the key
attractions of adult
dodgeball is how easy
it is to join in. Unlike
most sports, dodgeball
doesn't require
expensive equipment
or specialized skills.
14 Parks & Recreation | NOVEMBER 2 0 2 3
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
Fun Fitness
Dodgeball isn't just a game. It is
a physical workout. Dodgeball requires
quick reflexes, agility and
coordination. Engaging in adult
dodgeball pickup games provides a
fun way to improve cardiovascular
fitness, reflexes and overall body
coordination without the feeling of
a structured workout.
Adult dodgeball pickup is a fantastic
opportunity for all park and
recreation departments to engage
their community in a fun, inclusive
and physically active sport. It
brings people together, promotes
social interaction and provides a
platform for both novice and experienced
players to enjoy the game.
So, grab a ball, gather your friends,
and get ready to dodge, duck, dip,
dive and dodge.
Tara Vroman is Recreation Coordinator
III at Cobb PARKS (tara.vroman@
cobbcounty.org).
PHOTO COURTESY OF COBB COUNTY (GEORGIA) PARKS
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2023 - Parks & Recreation
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Intro
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover1
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover2
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 1
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 2
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 3
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 4
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 5
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 6
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 7
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 8
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 9
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 10
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 11
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 12
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 13
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 14
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 15
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 16
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 17
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 18
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 19
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 20
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 21
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 22
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 23
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 24
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 25
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 26
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 27
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 28
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 29
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 30
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 31
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 32
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 33
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 34
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 35
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 36
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 37
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 38
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 39
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 40
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 41
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 42
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 43
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 44
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 45
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 46
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 47
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 48
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 49
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 50
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 51
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 52
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 53
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 54
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 55
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 56
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover3
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover4
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2025
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2025
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2021
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