Do What I Say, Not What I Do: Trick Commands

The leader calls one movement while doing another; the class must follow the word, not the gesture. It trains reaction, inhibiting automatic responses and coordination while standing by the chair.

How to play

1. Base moves by the chair: hands to head, shoulders, knees, jump, squat (2 min).
2. The teacher says and does the same thing, faster and faster (2 min).
3. Trick commands: says "knees" while touching the head; if you slip, spin around once and keep going (4 min).
4. Opposites: now do the opposite of what's said (up means down, right means left) (4 min).
5. Four students take turns leading a short round (3 min).

Rules

• Stay in your own space, chair tucked under the desk.
• Mistakes don't knock you out: spin and continue.
• The leader can use at most five different moves.
• Jump only in place and land softly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: commands come on written cards while the trick gesture stays.
• Wheelchair users: arm and trunk moves; "jump" means arms overhead.
• Students with ADHD or who get frustrated: let them lead early to give them an active role.

Learning goals

• React to verbal cues while ignoring visual information.
• Coordinate arm and leg moves quickly.
• Enjoy mistakes as part of learning.

Teacher tip

Start slow: if you go fast right away everyone fails and loses interest. Alternate right and left to work on laterality.

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