Crows and Cranes

A partner reaction game: when students hear Crows or Cranes, one team chases and the other runs to its safe line. Students practice listening, reaction time, and fast starts from different positions.

How to play

1. Line up two rows facing each other in the middle of the court, 3 ft apart: one row is the Crows and the other is the Cranes. Each student faces a partner.
2. Mark a safe line with cones 30 ft behind each row.
3. Before playing, do 1 minute of skipping in place and butt kicks, following the teacher.
4. The teacher calls Crows! or Cranes! The team that is called chases their partner, who turns and runs to their safe line.
5. If the chaser tags their partner before the line, they score a point. Everyone jogs back to the starting position.
6. Do about 12 starts in 6 minutes, changing the starting position: standing, sitting, back to back, or lying face down.

Rules

• Only go when you hear the full word; false starts don't score.
• Chase only your own partner.
• Tag with a touch on the back, no pushing.
• Slow down after the line and never run toward nearby walls.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the partner of a student using a wheelchair counts as tagged within 6 ft, and that student's safe line is moved in to 20 ft.
• Hearing impairment: pair the word with an arm signal pointing toward the team that chases.
• Fitness level: pair students with a similar pace and rotate partners every 4 starts.

Learning goals

• React quickly to a verbal signal.
• Start fast from different body positions.
• Respect the signal and the start call.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 8

Teacher tip

Trick words are very motivating, but use them only once the game is running well. Rotate partners so no one always loses to the same classmate.

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