Crazy Start Sprints

Short reaction sprints that start from unusual positions: sitting, lying down, kneeling, or facing backward. It warms students up step by step while working on reaction speed, coordination when getting up, and acceleration.

How to play

1. Set up 5 lanes with cones, each with a start line and a finish line 30 ft away. Put a group of 5 in a line at each lane.
2. First, do 2 minutes of jogging and mobility down the lane: high knees, butt kicks, and leg swings.
3. The first student in each line gets into the position the teacher calls: sitting, lying face down, lying face up, kneeling, or facing backward.
4. On the signal, they get up and sprint to the finish; they jog back outside the lane and go to the end of their line.
5. The first two starts are at half speed, the next ones at three-quarter speed, and the last ones at full speed.
6. Do about 8 starts per student, changing the signal: whistle, clap, or raised arm.

Rules

• Go only on the signal; anyone who jumps early redoes the start.
• Run in your own lane and return outside it so no one crosses paths.
• Slow down gradually after the finish line.
• Leave at least 15 ft of clearance between the finish and any wall or fence.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student starts from different positions in the wheelchair, such as facing backward or hands on knees, and pushes 20 ft.
• Hearing impairment: use a visual signal for everyone, such as dropping a pinnie.
• Fitness level: a student who needs it runs every start at three-quarter speed and rests an extra turn.

Learning goals

• React to sound and visual signals with a fast start.
• Get up efficiently from different positions.
• Raise intensity gradually before the main activity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 12

Teacher tip

Insist that the first starts are easy to avoid pulled muscles. Mix up the order of positions so students can't anticipate.

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