Chalk Wall Vertical Jump Challenge
In pairs, students measure their vertical jump by touching a wall with chalky fingers, practice countermovement technique, and test again. Students work on lower-body power, using the arm swing, and tracking personal improvement.
How to play
- Make pairs along a smooth wall and give each pair chalk and a recording sheet. Each student marks their standing reach, side-on to the wall with the arm fully extended (3 minutes).
- First test: with chalky fingertips, jump from a standstill and touch as high as possible. Three tries; the partner measures the difference with the tape and records the best (5 minutes).
- Technique station: practice a quick countermovement (dip and drive with no pause) and a strong upward arm swing, 3 sets of 4 jumps with 30 seconds rest (5 minutes).
- Second test with three tries, recorded on the sheet (4 minutes).
- Each pair calculates their improvement in centimeters and discusses which movement changed (2 minutes).
- One-minute wrap-up: collect the sheets so the test can be repeated at the end of the grading period.
Rules
- Jump off both feet at once with no run-up.
- Land on both feet with bent knees, moving slightly away from the wall.
- Leave at least 2 m of wall between pairs.
- Compare your score only with your own earlier score, not with anyone else's.
Variations
Easier
Measure only one try after practice and allow a small step before the jump.
Standard
Three standing tries before and after the technique practice.
Harder
Add a single-leg jump and compare the results for each leg.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: throw a ball straight up against the wall from a seated position and measure the height.
- Autism or shyness: allow testing in a separate corner with a trusted partner.
- Lower fitness: cut the technique sets to two and rest one minute between them.
Learning goals
- Apply the countermovement and arm drive in a vertical jump.
- Measure and record their own score accurately.
- Value personal improvement as a sign of progress.
Equipment for a class of 25
- chalk: 13
- tape measure: 6
- recording sheets: 13
Teacher tip
Avoid comparing scores out loud, since it discourages students who jump lower. On a brick wall, tape up newspaper or use a smooth door so the chalk shows clearly.
PatioLab has "Chalk Wall Vertical Jump Challenge" and 1299 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for High School
10-20-30 interval running in pairs
The 10-20-30 method strings together 30 seconds of easy jogging, 20 at a moderate pace and 10 at top speed, in five-minute blocks.
1v1 Ball Volley Matches
1v1 ball volley: singles games on a small court with a low net, hitting the ball over the net and allowing one bounce.
2-on-2 Volleyball with Blocker Hand Signals
2-on-2 volleyball modeled on beach doubles: the net player uses hand signals behind their back to tell their partner which area they will block and which the partner…
4-on-4 Volleyball with a Setter and Outside Attack
Small-court 4-on-4 games where each team has a setter at the net and builds the pass-set-hit sequence toward the outside hitter.
4x50 Relay: Blind Handoff in the Exchange Zone
Teams of four learn to pass the baton without looking inside an exchange zone marked with cones, with the receiver taking off at speed so no time is lost.
Acrosport Flow: Linked Stunt Transitions
Groups of four link three simple acrosport stunts, moving from one to the next without fully coming down, with safe builds and dismounts.