Four-in-a-Row Gravity Relay
A strategy relay on a four-in-a-row board taped on the floor: each runner places one marker and must follow the gravity rule, filling every column from the far end. Students work on speed, reading the other team's play, and making quick decisions.
How to play
- Tape out 3 boards with 6 columns by 5 rows of 16-inch squares. The row farthest away is the bottom. Each board hosts 2 teams of 4 in pinnies with 10 poly spots or flat cones in their color (2 min).
- Teams wait behind a line 25 ft away. On the signal, the first runner from each team takes a marker and places it in the lowest open square of any column.
- They run back and high-five, and the next runner goes. The first team with four in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins.
- If all markers are used with no winner, the next runner may move one of their markers from the top of a column to another column.
- Games last about 2-3 minutes. After each one, teams rotate boards and opponents (4-5 games).
- The extra student or a resting team serves as the gravity-rule referee.
Rules
- A marker placed against the gravity rule goes back to its team and that turn is lost.
- Touch the board only to place your own marker.
- Slow down before the board; never run across the squares.
- Teammates may call out advice but must stay behind the line.
Variations
Easier
A 5-by-4 board and three in a row instead of four.
Standard
A 6-by-5 board and four in a row.
Harder
Each runner does 5 squats before leaving, and the team may not talk.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student is the team's permanent strategist and picks the column; a teammate carries the marker.
- Visual impairment: use high-contrast markers and have a teammate describe the board after each move.
- Lower fitness: the starting distance is cut to 15 ft for that team.
Learning goals
- Anticipate the other team's moves and block them in time.
- Make quick decisions during a speed effort.
- Respect the referee and the rules of the game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rolls of floor tape: 3
- poly spots or flat cones: 60
- pinnies: 24
Teacher tip
The gravity rule is what makes the game work, so walk through an example before you start. If you have no tape, hoops or different-colored poly spots work as squares.
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