Cargo Relay: How Much Do You Carry Each Trip?

A relay where each team must move ten balls from a supply box to its base and decides how many each person carries: with one ball you run, with two you jog, with three or more you walk. It forces students to plan, measure and adjust their strategy.

How to play

1. Setup: four teams, each with a box of ten balls 20 m away and an empty box at its start (3 min).
2. Explain the carrying rule and do a first free attempt with no strategy talk (4 min).
3. Team plan: two minutes to decide how many balls each person carries and in what order; write it in chalk or just agree on it (2 min).
4. Second attempt using the plan, then compare times with the first (4 min).
5. Third attempt with an obstacle: a cone halfway to run around and a hoop where you must stop with both feet (5 min).
6. Share: which strategy was fastest, and why? (2 min).

Rules

• One ball you run, two you jog, three or more you walk. Break the rule and you go back to the start.
• Pick up dropped balls and carry on from that spot.
• Tag the next runner with a hand slap behind the line.
• Team lanes are at least 3 m apart.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: carries balls on their lap or in a bag at their own pace with any load, no penalty.
• Visual impairment: a straight lane with a partner alongside and a box that makes a sound when touched.
• Slower runners: the team plan can give them large loads at a walk, which are just as valuable.

Learning goals

• Improve speed and changes of pace.
• Plan and evaluate a team strategy using data.
• Recognize that different abilities all add to the result.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tennis balls: 40
• boxes: 8
• cones: 12
• hoops: 4

Teacher tip

Call out each attempt's time so teams can see whether their plan helps. Common mistake: everyone carries one ball and sprints; let them find out that big loads at a walk can pay off.

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