Class Bouldering League: Tops, Zones and Judges

A mini bouldering competition based on the official tops-and-zones format: each problem has a zone hold partway up and attempts are counted. Students judge, set and run the clock as well as climb.

How to play

1. Explain the format: top (control the final hold with both hands), zone (control the middle hold) and attempts; ties go to fewer attempts (4 min).
2. Assign roles: four teams rotating through climbing, judging a problem, timekeeping and resting (3 min).
3. 4-minute rounds per problem with 4 minutes to rotate: each climber can try the problem as many times as they like on their turn (24 min).
4. Judges tally scores, post the standings and give a "best judge" award voted by the climbers (5 min).
5. Debrief: what makes a competition fair, and what jobs exist behind it (judge, route setter, organizer) (4 min).

Rules

• The judge has the final say on their problem.
• Feet under 1.5 m and mats checked before each round.
• At least 30 s rest between attempts.
• No coaching the climber during their turn, just like in real comps.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with disabilities: can compete on an adapted problem and compare their score with their own in a later session.
• Injured students: head judge or standings manager.
• Students who don't want to compete: offer the setter role for the surprise problem.

Learning goals

• Learn the bouldering competition format.
• Take on organizing roles responsibly.
• Value fair play and careers in the sport.

Equipment for a class of 25

• wall bars: 10
• gym mats: 12
• colored tape: 3
• scorecards: 28
• stopwatches: 4

Teacher tip

Make scorecards with columns for attempts to top and attempts to zone. The usual problem is a judge who can't see the zone hold clearly: mark it with very visible tape.

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