Flip Cup Relay on the Gym Bench
A team relay where each player runs to a gym bench and has to flip a cup resting on the edge with a flick of the fingers so it lands upside down. Students work on fine precision, controlling force under pressure, and cheering on their team.
How to play
- Teams of 5 line up behind a cone 20 ft from a gym bench. On the bench sit 5 cups right side up, each with the rim hanging about an inch over the edge.
- Free practice (3 min): flick the overhanging rim upward with one finger so the cup does a half flip and lands upside down on the bench.
- Relay (3 rounds of 2 min): the first player goes, flips their cup in as many tries as needed, runs back, and high-fives the next one.
- The first team with all 5 cups upside down wins the round; the team resets the cups and the last player moves to the front.
- Final round (4 min): each player gets only 3 tries. If they miss, they run back, do 5 squats, and the next player tries the same cup.
Rules
- Flip only your own cup; touching another team's cup costs you one cup.
- Start behind the cone and not before the high-five.
- Slow down before the bench; never dive into it.
- A cup that falls on the floor is put back and counts as a try.
Variations
Easier
Students may flip with the whole hand and have unlimited tries.
Standard
One-finger flick and a three-round relay.
Harder
Flip the cup with the non-dominant hand and then stack it on the previous one.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: move the bench closer and the student acts as the team's set flipper while a partner runs for them.
- Visual impairment: mark the bench edge with colored tape and have a partner describe where the cup is.
- Lower skill: let the cup hang farther over the edge, which makes the flip easier.
Learning goals
- Adjust the force of a flick to a fine precision task.
- Stay calm and keep good technique under time pressure.
- Encourage teammates without pointing out mistakes.
Equipment for a class of 25
- plastic cups: 30
- gym benches: 5
- cones: 5
Teacher tip
Keep spare lightweight plastic cups handy because they get crushed. The flick works best soft and upward, not forward, so demo it in slow motion.
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