Frogs and Flies Lily Pad Hop
Frogs leap from lily pad to lily pad (hoops) with two-foot jumps to catch flies (beanbags) and bring them back to their pond. Students practice the horizontal two-foot jump and soft landings within a team collection game.
How to play
- Scatter 30 hoops across the blacktop 20 to 30 inches apart, spread 40 beanbags on the ground between them, and put 4 buckets (ponds) in the corners.
- Make 4 frog teams, each with its own pond. Teach the frog jump (3 min): crouch, swing arms back, push off with both feet and land softly inside the hoop.
- On the signal, frogs leave their pond and may only move by jumping from hoop to hoop; from inside a hoop they may crouch and grab a fly lying next to it.
- Holding the fly, they jump back to their pond, drop it in the bucket and go again. Each round lasts 3 minutes.
- After each round, count the flies, return them to the pond and change the jump: hopping on one foot, jumping backward or with a half turn (3 rounds, 9 min).
- To finish (4 min), all teams combine their flies to reach a class target set by the teacher.
Rules
- You may only move by jumping and landing inside a hoop; land outside and you go back to the previous hoop.
- Only one frog per hoop.
- Grab one fly per trip and never take one from another frog.
- Land with bent knees and arms in front so you do not bump into anyone.
Variations
Easier
Place hoops closer together and allow one step between lily pads.
Standard
Two-foot jumps between hoops 20 to 30 inches apart, one fly per trip.
Harder
Heavy flies are worth 2 points and must be carried on the head without hands.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student travels a personal path of hoops by wheelchair or walking, with flies set on cones at reachable height.
- Hearing impairment: start and end each round with a visual signal (raising a hoop) as well as the whistle.
- Fitness level: strong jumpers may skip a hoop; students who struggle do little frog hops inside the same hoop before jumping.
Learning goals
- Jump with a two-foot takeoff and land softly.
- Control jump distance to land inside a target space.
- Work with the team and respect the other frogs.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 30
- beanbags: 40
- buckets: 4
Teacher tip
Stress the arm swing: back while crouching and forward while jumping. Keep hoops away from curbs and fences.
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