Bear to Crab: Turning Transitions

Students learn to move from a face-down bear crawl to a face-up crab walk by turning on one hand and one foot, without sitting down, and link the turns into short sequences. They practice crawling patterns, turning on the long axis, and shoulder strength.

How to play

1. Pairs, each with a mat; a giant die in the middle of the gym.
2. Review (2 min): 5 bear steps forward and 5 crab steps backward on the mat.
3. Guided turn (4 min): from bear, lift the right hand, thread the left foot under the body, and land in crab; return to bear turning the same way. 5 times each side; the partner checks that the hips never touch the floor.
4. Continuous turn (3 min): link turns in the same direction so you travel along the mat like a screw: bear, crab, bear.
5. Die sequence (5 min): the teacher rolls the die, and the number tells how many bear steps come before turning; the second roll tells how many crab steps. Partners do it at the same time, like a mirror.
6. Wrap-up (2 min): each pair shows its best transition to another pair.

Rules

• Hips never touch the floor during the turn.
• Safety: leave one mat of space between pairs and look around before turning.
• If the wrists hurt, use fists or take a rest.
• The observing partner talks only to help: say what you saw, not who is better.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: seated trunk rotations, reaching one hand to the floor on the opposite side and back.
• Autism: a picture sequence of the three steps of the turn and the same partner for the whole activity.
• Lower strength: keep the hips close to the floor in crab and take fewer steps.

Learning goals

• Perform transitions between crawling patterns with a controlled turn.
• Link turns and traveling into a sequence.
• Synchronize movements with a partner.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 13
• cones: 4
• giant die: 1

Teacher tip

The key is the lifted hand: look at it to lead the turn. Many students sit in the middle step; tell them to imagine the floor is hot lava.

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