Guided Bend: Voice Codes to Stay in Your Lane

Pairs design and test a short voice code to run a marked bend blindfolded without leaving the lane. It builds movement accuracy and mutual trust, just like the 200 m and 400 m races for visually impaired athletes.

How to play

1. Mark three curved lanes of about 40 m with cones and chalk; walk them with eyes open (4 min).
2. Each pair creates a 3–4 word code (for example, "open," "close," "straight," "end") and writes it on a hand in chalk or memorizes it (3 min).
3. Walk the bend blindfolded using only the code; the teacher notes any line touches (6 min).
4. Jog the bend; three tries each, then switch roles (8 min).
5. Swap codes with another pair: does someone else's code work for you? (4 min).

Rules

• Say only the code words, no long sentences.
• The guide stays on the outside of the bend.
• One pair per lane, with staggered starts.
• If the runner says "stop," the pair stops immediately.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visually impaired students: advise pairs on useful cues and test the codes.
• Ankle injury: guides at a walk on the widest bend or keeps the score.
• Students who need structure: get a ready-made code to start with.

Learning goals

• Control your path on a bend.
• Create an effective communication code.
• Build trust between runner and guide.

Equipment for a class of 25

• blindfolds: 14
• short tether cords: 14
• cones: 30
• chalk: 4

Teacher tip

Lanes shouldn't be narrower than about 4 ft. Common mistake: the guide says "left" without saying how much; ask for words that show degree, like "a little" or "a lot."

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