Guess the Sport Warm-Up
A student-led warm-up in which a leader draws a secret sport card and, without naming it, leads three exercises that prepare for that sport; the group must guess which sport it is. It helps students connect warm-ups to the demands of each sport.
How to play
- Groups of 5 spread out on the court; each group does 2 minutes of jogging and general mobility together.
- The first leader takes a card from the teacher's pile (basketball, swimming, tennis, track, judo, volleyball, soccer, climbing...) without showing it.
- For 2 minutes they lead three exercises that prepare for that sport (for volleyball: shoulder mobility, vertical jumps, and side shuffles), without naming it or acting out the full sport motion.
- Afterward, the group gets one guess and must explain which exercise gave it away.
- Switch leaders and cards; play 3 rounds in all.
- Scoring: one point for the group if it guesses right, and one for the leader if the teacher judges the warm-up appropriate.
Rules
- The leader doesn't name the sport or act out the full game motion.
- Each exercise must prepare a specific body part or action for that sport.
- The whole group does the exercises, even while thinking of the answer.
- Exercises must be safe and fit the court space.
Variations
Easier
Cards include a hint listing the sport's main muscles or actions.
Standard
Cards show only the sport, with three 40-second exercises.
Harder
Cards use lesser-known sports (canoeing, fencing, badminton) and the leader must include an injury-prevention exercise.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student can lead with help from a partner who demonstrates the exercises.
- Shyness: the leader may co-lead with a partner or lead with gestures only.
- Lower fitness: choose lower-impact exercises and shorten them to 30 seconds.
Learning goals
- Connect warm-up exercises to the demands of each sport.
- Design and lead a sport-specific part of a warm-up.
- Analyze which actions and body areas dominate in different sports.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Task cards: 20
Teacher tip
Circulate and judge whether the exercises fit the sport, not just whether the group guesses it. Prepare a couple of solved example cards for the first time you play.
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