Find the Cause: Mobility, Control or Strength?

When a classmate struggles with the squat or hinge, the group does more than spot the error: it runs three tests to find out whether the cause is mobility, motor control or strength, and prescribes the right fix. Students reason like a coach.

How to play

1. Explain the decision tree on the card: if the error disappears with no load and with assistance, it is strength; if it disappears with an external cue, it is control; if it does not disappear, it is mobility (4 min).
2. In groups of four, each student does 5 stick squats and the group notes the main error, such as heels lifting or knees caving in (5 min).
3. Cause tests: squat with heels on a stick (mobility), box squat with a band around the knees (control) and squat holding an anchored band for assistance (strength) (8 min).
4. The group decides on the cause and prescribes a corrective drill from the card, which the lifter practices for two sets (8 min).
5. Repeat the process with the hinge and wrap up by sharing cases (5 min).

Rules

• Describe errors in technical, respectful language, with no comments about anyone's body.
• No drill is done in pain; if it hurts, note it and check with the teacher.
• Bands are always anchored to a fixed point checked by the teacher.
• Every diagnosis must be backed by what was seen in the tests.

Variations

Adaptations

• Injury: acts as the group's analyst and runs the tests without performing them.
• Visual impairment: gets a verbal description of the error and does the tests with tactile feedback from the stick.
• Reading difficulties: the decision tree uses icons and colors.

Learning goals

• Distinguish mobility, control and strength errors in the basic patterns.
• Choose corrective drills based on the cause of the error.
• Build evidence-based technical reasoning.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cards: 8
• sticks: 8
• resistance bands: 8
• boxes: 4

Teacher tip

Prepare two or three common cases ahead of time to model the reasoning before groups work on their own.

More main activities for High School