Easy Road or Hard Road Obstacle Relay
A relay with two side-by-side obstacle courses: a quick, easy road worth 1 point and a slower, hard road worth 3 points. Each runner decides which road to take, and the team must reach 15 points before the others.
How to play
- Set up two 15 m roads for each team: the easy road is a 4-cone slalom, and the hard road has 4 hoops for two-foot jumps, 2 low hurdles, and a mat for a log roll (4 min).
- Form 4 teams of 6 and walk both roads together so everyone knows them (3 min).
- Relay: each student picks a road, completes it, runs back down the middle, and high-fives the next teammate; a team scorekeeper records 1 or 3 points (6 min).
- The first team to reach 15 points wins the round; play two rounds, changing the running order (part of the relay).
- Third round with a condition: every student must take the hard road at least once (4 min).
- Closing talk: which team strategy worked best? (3 min).
Rules
- The log roll on the mat is done with arms stretched overhead, no somersaults.
- Anyone who skips an obstacle goes back to it before continuing.
- Return through the center lane without crossing the roads.
- Each student chooses their own road; the team can give advice but cannot force anyone.
Variations
Easier
The hard road has only hoops and one hurdle, and the target is 10 points.
Standard
Easy road worth 1 point and hard road worth 3, with a target of 15 points.
Harder
Add an expert road worth 5 points with a gym bench and three hurdles in a row.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility: have their own adapted road worth 3 points, with cones to go around and a hoop to touch by hand.
- Autism or shyness: may repeat the same road every time if needed, and picture cards show the order of obstacles in advance.
- Fitness or skill level: the fastest students can score only on the hard road; tired students may choose the easy road without anyone judging.
Learning goals
- Choose between options based on their own ability and the team's situation.
- Clear a variety of obstacles while keeping a running pace.
- Respect their teammates' decisions.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 24
- hoops: 16
- low hurdles: 8
- mats: 4
- poles: 4
Teacher tip
It is fun to watch teams figure out that mixing roads is the best strategy; let them discover it. Make sure the mat is secure and well away from the hurdles.
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