Fifteen-Second Cross Hop Challenge

In groups of three, one student hops with feet together around a five-square cross in the same order for 15 seconds while one partner counts landings and another keeps time. Students build coordination, fast foot speed and spatial awareness.

How to play

1. Chalk 8 crosses made of five 40 x 40 cm squares: one in the center and four around it (front, right, back, left); in the gym, use tape (2 min).
2. Make groups of three with three roles: jumper, counter and timer; any extra student joins a group and rotates the same way (1 min).
3. Teach the pattern: center, front, center, right, center, back, center, left, then repeat, always facing forward (2 min).
4. Slow practice: each jumper does two full laps slowly while the other two call out the next square (3 min).
5. Test: the timer starts the jumper and calls time at 15 seconds; the counter scores one point per correct landing; rotate until all three have had 2 tries (5 min).
6. Each group adds up its members' best tries and compares the total with its own score from the previous round (1 min).

Rules

• Always jump with both feet together and face forward.
• A landing on the line or out of order does not score, but keep jumping.
• Keep one meter of clear space around every cross.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student does the same pattern tapping the squares with one foot or with a pole while seated, counting taps the same way.
• Autism: number the outer squares 1 to 4 so the student can follow the order by number.
• Advanced students: add a clap between hops or a quarter turn on each center landing.

Learning goals

• Coordinate quick two-footed hops in different directions.
• Memorize and follow a spatial pattern.
• Beat their own score over several tries.

Equipment for a class of 25

• chalk: 8
• stopwatches: 8

Teacher tip

Mistakes almost always come on the backward hop, so ask for low, quick hops rather than high ones. If the gym is noisy, have counters show points on their fingers.

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