Ball games in the park

[michmash1111]

We took our daily walk yesterday and saw a family playing football. They were doing no harm and following social distancing rules but my husband and I disagree on this being right. I think that ball games are non-essential and if everyone did it, there would be increased risk.

What's your opinion on this?

Oh god, how dare they be having fun!

If it's your ball and you are playing with members of your household then there's absolutely no issue, surely?

If this is their one form of exercise for the day and they stayed very clear from other people then they are following the rules.
Not everyone wants to play football, but some of us are going for runs, bike rides etc.

You say yourself they were doing no harm and following social distancing rules, so why do you feel there’s increased risk?

My question was not meant to sound like I am a sour busy body. My query really refers to what might be the right thing to do. I like to think I have a decent amount of common sense but couldn't call this one. If all families went out and played ball games (football) at the same time then perhaps there would be an increased risk.

I would love for my son to play football too but am unsure if this is right/fair.

All I am doing is crowd-sourcing. I must admit to thinking a few of these responses were a little prickly. Let's be kind ladies.

I think the point is not every family would go out and play football. We prefer other forms of exercise as a family. We are also lucky to have a garden for games. Others aren't as lucky as and may need this time outside. As long as people are following the social distancing rules and are only out once per day there isn't a problem in most areas. People like to make problems though. And imagine all the what ifs.

Obviously if every family did decide to go out and play football and there was no longer space to observe safe social distancing then families would need to rethink how they take their daily exercise. And I'm sure most people would have the thinking skills to be able to cope with this. But people creating imaginary problems that don't even exist isn't helpful for families trying to do what they can to not have a completely miserable lockdown experience.

It's a miserable time op. They're not harming anyone. Might not have a garden at home. Just focus on your own family

If every family went out and did your daily walk along your usual route at the same time then there'd also be a problem, though, surely? But not everyone else is, so there's no problem with you doing it. And not everyone else is playing ball games so it's safe for them to do it too.

Of course it's not a problem...how ridiculous. As long as they're following the social distancing guidelines then it's ok...it doesn't matter what exactly it is they're doing.
I do worry about people policing what we're allowed to do during our time out. When I take DS out at the moment I take a ball and some bits and bobs to entertain him. He's 2 and needs his exercise but easily distracted as 2 yr olds are so we have to stop and start. We don't have a garden and if it turns out that we're not allowed to sit on the grass or play games when out then we're going to be stuck in.

I wouldn't have a problem with it, but do have reservations as it's the sort of thing that could easily cause issues if lots of people did it (just like driving to places for a walk).

Ball games take up a lot more space than going for a walk, or riding a bike/scooter and if multiple families decided to play ball games it limits the amount of space available for others.

I suppose as long as no one else touches the ball except the family involved. It's easy for a ball to be kicked a bit further than intended and just as easy for someone else to pick it up and throw it back.

Jesus feckin wept!!
You can do whatever you bloody like for your exercise and yes you ARE a sour busy body.
Let your son play with a ball!!

Our daily excersise tends to be walk the dog to the near by empty field, then me and 5 year old kick a ball about for 10-15minutes, then walk home.

We don't come in to contact with anyone else, we do it once a day and are out if the house for about 40mins.

5 year old has ADHD, he needs to escape the house and burn up some energy.

Wow, just wow. Thank you to those whom have understood the gist of my query. Wanting, in these unprecedented, never-experienced-before-times to get things right, to be respectful and to interpret the rules in the correct way.

By the sounds of some of your tones... swearing, being so patronising, so easily agitated, may I suggest you get out for a bit of air.

No one can go out for a bit of air without being judged though can they

I'm sorry to hear that. The world is upside down. So much loss and tragedy.

I just wanted to know if it was OK to kick a ball around. I couldn't make a call either way. I came to you to seek a healthy opinion.

Let's all be kind to each other.

If you’re this incapable of making common sense decisions maybe you should nail your door shut until September.
Most of us are enjoying the fresh air without being so bloody ridiculous and judgemental.
Be kind and don’t post anymore nonsense 🙄

Yes, they can exercise by playing football as long as they practise social distancing and stick to playing with people from their household.

Whether them having fresh air, exercise and fun is worth enduring the looks and whispers of other people who are themselves exercising in the park is worth it is another question.

If they are kicking the ball into other people then no. If they have plenty of space around them and they all live together, what harm could there be? Better than another hour playing Fortnite.

Thank you to those whom have understood the gist of my query.

Thank you those who agreed with me

Were they the only ones kicking a ball about? How is your version of exercise ok and there's is not?