Cleanup with a Check: Holds and Mats Inventory

A cool-down where the class packs up the climbing area with an inspection task: mats, tape and rungs. It brings the pace down with useful work and leaves the wall ready and safe for the next group.

How to play

1. Assign tasks by group: mats, loose tape, rungs or holds, and floor (1 min).
2. Inspect with the checklist: tears, tape that's hard to see, loose rungs or spinning holds; mark them and snap a photo if needed (3 min).
3. Calm cleanup: four people per mat, stacked by size (2 min).
4. Incident report: each group dictates one line to the recorder and it goes to the teacher (2 min).

Rules

• Nobody climbs during the check.
• Lift mats with your legs, back straight.
• A spinning hold or loose rung gets red tape and is left alone.
• Keep voices low.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: in charge of the report and handing out tasks.
• Back injury: checks tape and rungs, no lifting.
• Students with visual impairments: check mats by touch.

Learning goals

• Bring the heart rate down with a calm task.
• Spot hazards in the equipment.
• Take care of a shared space.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym mats: 10
• colored tape: 1
• inspection checklists: 4

Teacher tip

Keep a wrench handy to tighten climbing-wall holds, but do it yourself, never the students. The usual mistake is turning cleanup into a race: the job is to inspect, not to finish first.

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