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Indoor Active Games to Play

People looking for something entertaining and active to do indoors have no shortage of options. Whether it's a friendly showdown between friends or a full-on tournament involving teams of participants, indoor games can provide as much of an engaging and physically demanding workout as most outdoor ventures. These activities encourage good health while also providing entertainment value for their participants, giving them a viable alternative in case of inclement weather.

Basketball
- Basketball is best played indoors, where the elements are not a factor in how the ball travels toward the hoop. Indoor basketball can be played with as few as two people, or with dozens of teams in a large tournament. Regardless of how many players are involved, the sport provides participants with a good workout due to the non-stop transitions from offense to defense. Basketball requires good fitness and endurance as well as strong footwork and decent jumping skills.
Floor Hockey
- Floor hockey is optimal for larger groups. The game features the same rules as regulation ice hockey, with the team scoring the most goals declared the winner. Each player will need a hockey stick, and some organized competitions like leagues or tournaments may require safety devices like helmets, mouth guards or shin pads. Floor hockey players get quite a workout over the course of the game, since the action is constant and competitors are almost always jogging or running to be part of the play. Forwards and defensemen with stronger endurance and good hand-eye coordination will excel, as will a goaltender with quick reflexes.
Volleyball
- For those who enjoy games that rely heavily on teamwork, volleyball is a solid option. Game versions can range from a casual showdown between teams of two or three to competitions involving squads with 10 or 12 players apiece. Volleyball is more about honing fundamentals rather than getting a workout in the same vein as a basketball or floor hockey game. Yet, a well contested game between two evenly matched teams can result in long rallies which usually favor teams with better endurance. Since some five-set matches can last a few hours, good fitness is critical.
Indoor Soccer
- The indoor version of one of the world's most popular games offers a good workout without having to traverse an entire soccer field. The indoor sport uses a softer ball than its outdoor predecessor. Other than that, the rules and object remain the same, with smaller teams and smaller nets. Indoor soccer is another game that requires good fitness, since the play moves quickly from end to end.

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