Formula One Relay: Sprint, Hurdles and Roll
Team relay on a short course that combines a sprint, low hurdles, a forward roll on a mat and a cone slalom. Students build speed and agility while learning to link several skills together without losing rhythm.
How to play
- Make 5 teams of 5 and set one lane per team: start line, 6 m sprint, 3 low hurdles 4 m apart, one mat, and a 5-cone slalom back to the start (3 min).
- Each team walks and then jogs its lane to learn the order: sprint, hurdles, roll, slalom, baton handoff (3 min).
- Race 1: each runner goes twice in line order; the first team to finish and sit down in a line wins (4 min).
- Two-minute huddle: each team names the section where it loses time and agrees on one tip to fix it.
- Race 2 runs the course backward: slalom first, then roll, hurdles and a final sprint (4 min).
- Final race uses the original course; award 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points by place and add up all three races (4 min).
Rules
- Hand the baton off behind the start line; if it is thrown, the runner starts again.
- Roll with the chin tucked to the chest; students who are not ready can do a log roll instead.
- Only one runner per team may be on the course at a time.
Variations
Easier
Remove the hurdles and replace the roll with lying face down and popping back up.
Standard
Full course with a sprint, three low hurdles, a forward roll and a five-cone slalom.
Harder
Add a fourth hurdle and dribble a ball through the slalom, handing it off with the baton.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student runs a wide slalom with no hurdles or roll, and that leg counts the same.
- Autism or shy students: show the order with a drawing and allow one practice lap alone first.
- Lower fitness: the student runs once per race and serves as hurdle judge in race 2.
Learning goals
- Link a sprint, hurdles, a roll and a slalom without stopping.
- Improve reaction speed during the baton handoff.
- Work with the team to find and fix the slowest section.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 30
- low hurdles: 15
- mats: 5
- batons: 5
Teacher tip
Butt the mats together and keep them well away from the hurdles so nobody lands on one. The most common mistake is stopping before the roll; cue students to drop low without braking.
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