Foul or Fair? Slow-Motion Jump Judges
A calm game where volunteers act out jumps in slow motion and everyone else rules them foul or fair. It reviews the basic rules of long jump, triple jump and high jump.
How to play
- Each student gets a white card (fair) and a red card (foul); cones mark a takeoff board and a landing area (1 min).
- The teacher or a volunteer acts out a long jump in slow motion: steps over the line, falls backward, walks out the front... (3 min).
- Everyone raises a card at the same time; someone who got it right explains the rule in their own words (2 min).
- Triple jump and high jump round: wrong foot sequence, knocking the bar, two-foot takeoff (2 min).
Rules
- Raise your card only on the signal.
- Nobody laughs at a wrong answer.
- Acting is done walking, no real jumps.
- One person explains at a time.
Variations
Easier
Long jump rules only.
Standard
Long, triple and high jump.
Harder
Students prepare their own tricky situations for the group.
Adaptations
- Deaf or hard of hearing: each situation is also shown on a written sign.
- Visual impairment: the situation is narrated aloud while acted out.
- Limited mobility: serves as head judge giving the final ruling.
Learning goals
- Know the basic rules of the jumps.
- Justify an officiating decision.
- Cool down with a quiet game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- colored cards: 60
- cones: 4
Teacher tip
Check the rules yourself first: in high jump the takeoff must be from one foot; in long jump the measurement is from the mark closest to the board. Thumbs up or down work if you have no cards.
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