Cross Interview: Tell Your Partner's Story of the Lesson
In pairs, walking or stretching, each student interviews their partner with three questions about the lesson and then summarizes for another pair what the partner said, not their own experience. It builds active listening, summarizing and analysis of in-game decisions.
How to play
- The teacher presents the three questions: what decision did you make that worked, what would you do differently and what role did you play on your team (1 min).
- Slow walk around the field in pairs: A interviews B without interrupting or giving opinions (2 min).
- Switch roles while doing standing calf and quad stretches (2 min).
- Two pairs join up: each student sums up in 30 seconds what their partner said, and the partner confirms it's right (2 min).
- Wrap-up: two students share an interesting tactical decision they heard about (1 min).
Rules
- The interviewer only asks and listens; no opinions.
- When summarizing, stick to what the partner said without adding judgments.
- If something is private, the interviewee can ask that it not be shared.
Variations
Easier
Only two questions, and the summary goes to the teacher instead of another pair.
Standard
Three questions, cross interview and summary to another pair.
Harder
The interviewer adds a follow-up question to dig into the most interesting answer.
Adaptations
- Hearing impairment: partners face each other and the questions are written on a card or phone.
- Autism: give the questions ahead of time and allow short answers.
- Limited mobility: do the interview in place with upper-body stretches.
Learning goals
- Listen actively and summarize what someone else says.
- Analyze the decisions made during the main activity.
- Recognize each member's role on the team.
Teacher tip
It works really well after team sports. Pair students from different teams so they hear other perspectives on the same game.
PatioLab has "Cross Interview: Tell Your Partner's Story of the Lesson" and 5176 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More cool-downs for High School
24-Hour Recovery Plan After Training
Seated and stretching gently, students rate how hard the session was and design a concrete recovery plan for the next 24 hours: hydration, food, sleep, light movement,…
4-7-8 Breathing and a Sleep Hygiene Plan
A cool-down lying on mats using the 4-7-8 breathing technique, which also helps with falling asleep.
5-4-3-2-1 Sensory Grounding While Stretching
A sensory grounding technique: students name five things they see, four they feel, three they hear, two they smell and one they taste while doing gentle stretches.