Group Ribbon Routine: Formations and Trails
Groups of 5 create a 48-count routine with rhythmic gymnastics ribbons that combines basic patterns (snakes, spirals, circles, and figure eights), traveling trails, and formation changes. Students work on coordination with the object, rhythm, and group spatial composition.
How to play
- Each student with a ribbon: snakes (horizontal and vertical zigzag), spirals, big circles, and figure eights in front of the body, 8 counts each to music (5 minutes).
- Trails: travel by walking, gentle skipping, or turning while the ribbon draws behind or overhead without touching the floor (4 minutes).
- Form groups of 5. Each group chooses three formations (line, wedge, circle, diagonal, or two lines) and the order they will move through them (3 minutes).
- The group composes 48 counts: 16 per formation, with a different pattern in each one and one group image, for example spirals in canon from one person to the next (7 minutes).
- Rehearse with music, keeping transitions between formations to only 4 counts (3 minutes).
- Each group performs its routine for the class (3 minutes).
Rules
- Within the group, keep at least 6 feet between people so ribbons don't tangle.
- A ribbon never moves at the height of someone else's face.
- If a ribbon knots, stop, untangle it, and rejoin at the next block.
Variations
Easier
A 32-count routine with two formations, using only snakes and circles.
Standard
A 48-count routine with three formations, trails, and a canon image.
Harder
Add a short ribbon toss to the next person during a transition.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student in a wheelchair can do every pattern with the arm and take the center or point of the formation.
- Hearing impairment: the student at the point of the formation cues the start of each block with a gesture.
- Skill level: more skilled students add hand switches and patterns with the non-dominant hand.
Learning goals
- Perform basic ribbon patterns in time with the music.
- Design transitions between group formations.
- Compose a group routine with an object.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rhythmic gymnastics ribbons: 25
- music
- portable speaker: 1
Teacher tip
Ribbons tangle when the motion comes from the wrist; cue students to drive it from the shoulder with a long arm. Give each group a different ribbon color so the formation reads clearly.
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