Fair-Play Balance: Holding Poses Through Dilemmas
The teacher reads sports ethics dilemmas and each student answers with their body: balancing on the right foot, the left foot, or a steady stance with arms crossed. While holding the pose, volunteers from each option defend their choice.
How to play
- Explain the three poses: right foot = “I would,” left foot = “I wouldn't,” both feet with arms crossed = “it depends” (1 min).
- Five dilemmas, one per minute: the teacher reads one (e.g., an opponent gets hurt in the middle of your fast break; the ref awards a goal you know didn't go in; a teammate offers you a pill “to perform better”; your team is losing and the coach wants you to fake an injury to kill time). First three dilemmas: everyone holds their pose for 30 seconds and one student from each option explains why (3 min).
- Last two dilemmas, switching the standing leg from the previous round to balance the work (2 min).
- In pairs, each student poses their own dilemma to the other while they hold a mirrored balance together, holding hands (2 min).
Rules
- Balance near a wall or with an arm's length of clear space around you.
- If you lose balance, just touch down and get back into the pose.
- Any answer is respected; debate arguments, not people.
- Nobody has to explain their choice out loud.
Variations
Easier
Poses with a hand on the wall and three dilemmas.
Standard
Free balances and five dilemmas.
Harder
Balance with eyes closed for the 30 seconds, and the speaker talks while holding the pose.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: answers with arms while seated (right arm up, left arm up, arms crossed).
- Visual impairment: the teacher reads slowly and names the poses aloud at the start; a partner confirms with a tap on the shoulder.
- Ankle injury: answers with arms while standing on both feet.
Learning goals
- Hold static balances while bringing arousal down.
- Reflect on real ethical dilemmas in sport.
- Argue respectfully when opinions differ.
Equipment for a class of 25
- dilemma cards: 6
Teacher tip
Write the dilemmas on cards so you don't have to improvise, and tweak one to match something that happened in class. The pill dilemma links nicely to doping without going deep. Common mistake: letting the usual voices dominate; pick different speakers for each dilemma.
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