Gym Mat Sled Pull

In groups of five, four students use ropes to pull a mat across the smooth gym floor while a classmate rides sitting on top, going around cones and back. Students work on strength, timing the pull together and trust in the group.

How to play

1. Make groups of five. Each group ties two ropes to the front handles of a thin mat and lines up behind a start line (2 min).
2. One student sits cross-legged in the middle of the mat, holding the side handles. The other four take the ropes, two per rope (1 min).
3. First trip at a walk: pull the rider 15 yards, go around a cone with a wide turn and come back. Switch riders every trip (6 min).
4. Before round two, the group agrees on a count ('one, two, go!') to pull together and on a signal the rider uses to stop (1 min).
5. Second round at an easy jog through a three-cone slalom. Each group counts trips without the rider falling off and adds them to the class total (7 min).
6. Final challenge: the rider carries three balls on their lap and delivers them into a hoop at the end without dropping any (3 min).

Rules

• The rider always sits and holds on; never standing or kneeling.
• Make turns wide and slow; no sharp turns.
• Everyone pulls together after the agreed count, with no solo yanks.
• If the rider says 'Brake!', the group stops right away.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student can ride with a cushion and back support, or be the route leader who calls the turns.
• Fear or autism: the student may choose not to ride and carry a big ball as 'cargo' instead.
• Fitness level: the group places its strongest pullers on the outside rope during turns.

Learning goals

• Apply force in coordination with the group.
• Trust classmates while being carried.
• Agree on signals to act safely.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 5
• ropes: 10
• cones: 15

Teacher tip

This only works on a smooth gym floor with thin vinyl-bottom mats, never on blacktop. Check the rope knots before every round.

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