Arrows on the Screen: React and Move

A slideshow or app is projected showing random arrows (up, down, left, right) at variable intervals. Each student, in their cone square, responds with the matching movement: forward, back or sideways, then returns to the center. It trains visual reaction, agility and game-like movement.

How to play

1. Ankle and hip mobility and trial movements: forward, back and side shuffles (1 min).
2. Each student marks a 2 x 2 m square with four cones and stands in the center facing the screen (1 min).
3. First 30-second set: up arrow, touch the front cone; down, the back one; left or right, the side one. Two sets with 30 seconds of rest (2 min).
4. Reverse the rules: go to the side opposite the arrow. Two sets (2 min).
5. Final set with colored arrows: red ones are reversed and green ones are not (1 min).

Rules

• Squares are at least 5 feet apart.
• Touch the cone with the hand by squatting with a straight back, never diving to the floor.
• Move backward sideways or with short steps, never running backward.
• Rest between sets is required.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: a partner calls out the direction and the square is smaller.
• Wheelchair user: responds with turns and short pushes toward the indicated cone.
• Photosensitive epilepsy: the slideshow uses no flashes and has a fixed, non-flickering background.

Learning goals

• Improve reaction to unpredictable visual cues.
• Activate the multidirectional movement used in games.
• Inhibit automatic responses when the rules change.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tablets or phones: 1
• projector: 1
• cones: 112

Teacher tip

A slideshow with automatic transitions of random length works; without a projector, a partner can show the arrows on a tablet for each group.

More activities like this

More warm-ups for High School