Crawling School: Inchworm, Seal, and Army Crawl
Students learn four crawling patterns (army crawl, seal crawl, inchworm, and back snake) on mat lanes, first for technique and then in a card relay. They build trunk and arm strength, cross-lateral coordination, and movement at a low level.
How to play
- Lanes of 4 mats in a row (5 lanes), groups of 5 per lane behind a cone.
- Army crawl (3 min): lying face down, the right elbow and left knee move forward together, then switch. Crawl down the lane and walk back.
- Seal crawl (3 min): face down, legs straight and relaxed; only the arms pull the body, hands on the floor.
- Inchworm and snake (4 min): inchworm: lying face up, bend the knees and push with the heels; snake: face down, wiggle the body without using the arms.
- Card relay (6 min): the first student in each line draws a card with a crawl, travels the lane that way, runs back along the outside, and hands the card to the next student. The first group to finish two rounds with good technique wins.
- Wrap-up (2 min): each student names the hardest crawl and the muscles they felt.
Rules
- In the relay, if the technique doesn't match the card, repeat the last section.
- Safety: one student per mat, and exit to the side, never off the front.
- Return outside the mats so nobody collides.
- Wear clothing that covers knees and elbows, or rest on the forearms instead of the elbows.
Variations
Easier
Two-mat lanes with only the army crawl and seal crawl.
Standard
Four crawls for technique plus the card relay.
Harder
Crawl with a beanbag on the back that can't fall off.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: seal crawl or a hand-powered scooter board ride, or a rope pull.
- Visual impairment: lanes lined with ropes as a tactile guide and a partner calling from the end.
- Lower fitness: two-mat sections only, with rest between turns.
Learning goals
- Perform different crawls with good coordination.
- Strengthen the trunk and arms while moving at a low level.
- Keep correct technique under relay pressure.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 20
- cones: 5
- cards: 20
Teacher tip
In the army crawl many students move the arm and leg on the same side; have them rehearse slowly saying "elbow and opposite knee." Keep the mats pushed together so no gaps open up.
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