Bear Hug Escape Duels
A partner ground-wrestling game: the 'bear,' seated behind, holds a partner in a waist hug, and the partner has 15 seconds to break free and touch a cone. Students build strength and turning skills, solve movement problems, and follow combative safety rules.
How to play
- Make one mat area and pair students of similar weight, each pair on a mat with a cone 5 ft in front; an odd student joins a rotating trio (2 min).
- Review the stop signal: if the prisoner says 'stop' or taps twice, the bear lets go immediately.
- The prisoner sits with legs straight out. The bear sits behind and wraps both arms around the prisoner's waist, below the armpits, with hands joined.
- On the whistle, the prisoner has 15 seconds to escape and touch the cone by turning, prying the bear's arms apart, or sliding down. The bear holds with the arms only.
- Each escape is a point for the prisoner; if they do not escape, the bear scores. Then switch roles; three tries each, then change partners.
- In the last set, both start on their knees: the prisoner on all fours and the bear holding the waist.
Rules
- The hug always goes around the waist: never the neck, head, or straightened arms.
- The bear does not squeeze the chest or wrap the legs around the partner.
- No elbowing or throwing the head back to escape.
- The stop signal is always obeyed immediately.
Variations
Easier
The bear holds one wrist with the other hand, and the prisoner gets 20 seconds.
Standard
Waist hug with hands joined and 15 seconds to touch the cone.
Harder
Move the cone to 8 ft, and the bear may grab again if they catch the prisoner before the cone.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the prisoner escapes using only the trunk and arms to touch a cone beside them.
- Discomfort with contact or autism: start as the bear, a role with more control over contact, with a trusted partner.
- Strength: if there is a big difference, the stronger bear holds without joining hands.
Learning goals
- Find movement solutions to break free from a hold.
- Apply controlled force when holding a partner.
- Respect off-limits areas and the stop signal.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 12
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
Many prisoners only pull forward; teach them to turn toward the bear's hands and drop their body. Before starting, check that every bear places the hug correctly, below the armpits.
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