Eye, Ear or Touch: Starts to Three Kinds of Signal

In groups of three, students practice 10 m starts to a visual, an auditory and a touch signal to find out which one gets them going fastest. It trains reaction and shows how starts are adapted in Deaf athletics, which uses lights.

How to play

1. Specific warm-up: jog, high-knees and four easy 10 m starts (4 min).
2. Groups of three (starter, runner, finish judge): 10 m starts when the bandana drops; four per person (5 min).
3. Same task with a hand clap as the signal; the runner looks straight ahead (5 min).
4. Touch signal: the runner waits with eyes closed, opens them at the tap on the shoulder and goes (5 min).
5. Partner duels with a random signal, then group discussion: which one got us out fastest and why? (6 min).

Rules

• On the touch signal, eyes open before the first step; nobody runs with eyes closed.
• Separate lanes and a long run-out: slow down past the finish cones.
• False starts are simply repeated, no penalty.
• Walk back along the sides, never down the lane.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf students: work with visual and touch signals and share with the group how they get cues in daily life.
• Students with visual impairments: auditory and touch signals, with a guide or lane rope if needed.
• Injured students: act as finish judge and note who gets out first with each signal.

Learning goals

• Improve reaction time to different stimuli.
• Compare stimuli and draw their own conclusions.
• Appreciate how sport is adapted for athletes with disabilities.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 20
• bandanas: 10

Teacher tip

Before you start, mention that Deaf athletics uses light signals for starts; it opens a good inclusion conversation. Common mistake: the clapper fakes; ask for clean signals at varied timing.

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