Equity Toss: Choose Your Distance
A beanbag toss to hoops in three rounds: everyone from the same distance, everyone from their own, and the team assigning distances. Students experience the difference between equality and equity and discuss how to make competition fair.
How to play
- Make 5 teams of 5; each team has a hoop and cones at 3, 5, 7 and 9 m (10, 16, 23 and 30 ft).
- Round 1, equality (4 min): everyone tosses five beanbags from 7 m and the team adds up hits.
- Round 2, free choice (4 min): each student picks a distance; a hit is worth 1 point at 3 m, 2 at 5 m, 3 at 7 m and 4 at 9 m.
- Round 3, equity (5 min): the team takes 1 minute to set each member's distance so everyone has a real chance and the total is as high as possible.
- Record points per round on the team sheet and compare who really took part in each.
- Discussion (5 min): when was the competition fairest, and what examples of equity exist in adapted sports?
Rules
- Toss only on the teacher's signal and collect all at once.
- The team can't force anyone to a distance they don't want.
- The neighboring team counts the hits.
- Safety: nobody crosses the throwing area while others toss.
Variations
Easier
Only two distances, at 3 and 6 m.
Standard
Three rounds: equality, free choice and equity.
Harder
Toss with the non-dominant hand in the equity round.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: toss seated from any chosen distance with no penalty.
- Visual impairment: a hoop with a sound cue or a partner clapping from the hoop.
- Highly skilled students: must hit a smaller hoop in round 3.
Learning goals
- Distinguish equality from equity in sports.
- Make team decisions that include everyone.
- Adjust throwing force and trajectory.
Equipment for a class of 25
- bean bags: 25
- hoops: 5
- cones: 20
- worksheets: 5
Teacher tip
Round 1 leaves some students with zero hits: use it as data in the discussion without pointing anyone out. Link round 3 to classification in Paralympic sports.
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