A big red ball is rolling towards your feet and you can see your tragic fate in front of you. With a split second to spare, you lunge out of the way and the ball bounces off the wall behind you as you breathe a sigh of relief. You pick up the ball and smack it back at your biggest enemy with all your might. It hits their legs and now they’re out. So it’s only you and your best friend left in the pit. Who’s gonna make it out alive?

Maybe this sounds familiar. A little like dodgeball, gaga takes place in an octagonal pit and is played with as many people as possible. The rules of the game are simple. The ball can only be hit, not thrown. If it hits you below your waist, you’re out. If someone hits the ball and you catch it while it’s still in the air, they’re out. You can’t hit the ball twice in a row, but you can hit it again after it touches another person or the wall. Your goal is to last as long as you can inside the pit.

Setting up the game is easier than you might think. With a simple Amazon search you can find affordable balls and pits. All you’ll need is a couple friends and a place to play. A gym, park or backyard will do. If you want to get creative and save some money, you can use 8 pieces of wood slats and make your own octagon. Although gaga ball is not a professional sport, you might find it will reignite and heal your inner child, no matter how much you might think you’ve outgrown it.