Color Hands and Feet Climbing Challenge

A low-traverse climbing game based on the classic hands-and-feet color game: a partner rolls the die and calls out which limb to move and to which hold color. Climbers have to find balanced positions, shift their weight from one hold to another, and climb with straight arms.

How to play

1. Split the wall into 10-foot sections and form groups of 4 per section: a climber, a die roller, a color caller, and a spotter (2 min).
2. The climber gets on the traverse with feet no more than 18 inches off the floor and hands below the tape line that marks the height limit.
3. The roller rolls the die: 1-2 right hand, 3-4 left hand, 5 right foot, 6 left foot. The caller names a hold color that is within reach.
4. The climber has 10 seconds to move that limb to a hold of that color without letting go with the other three. Each successful move scores a point.
5. When the climber falls off or can't reach, they step down, record their points, and roles rotate clockwise. Each turn lasts 2 minutes at most.
6. After two full rotations (11 min), each group adds up its points and talks about which position was hardest to hold (2 min).

Rules

• No one's hands go above the height tape marked on the wall.
• Only one climber per section, and no one walks under a climber.
• The spotter keeps hands near the climber's hips without pushing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited leg mobility: play with hand rolls only on low holds next to the wall.
• Visual impairments: the caller describes the hold using clock directions and hand spans.
• Less strength: big holds only; stronger climbers hold each position for 5 seconds.

Learning goals

• Keep balance on three points of contact while moving the fourth.
• Shift body weight between holds in a controlled way.
• Apply the safety rules of the climbing wall.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bouldering wall: 1
• mats: 8
• giant dice: 6

Teacher tip

Students tend to pull with their arms and keep their hips away from the wall; remind them to put their weight on their feet. Check beforehand that mats cover the whole base with no gaps.

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