Hands on the Rock: Crab Walks Sideways

With their hands on the bench and feet on the floor, kids move sideways from one end to the other like crabs going around a rock. It builds arm and core strength and moving sideways with hands and feet working together.

How to play

1. Benches are spaced out with nothing around them; we stand on one side, facing a bench (2 min).
2. We put both hands on the bench and stretch our legs back: we're a ramp (1 min).
3. We walk sideways moving one hand and one foot, then the other hand and the other foot, to the end of the rock (3 min).
4. At the end, we walk around the rock and go back sideways in the other direction (3 min).
5. The bravest crabs try it with their feet on a folded mat, a little higher up (2 min).
6. We sit on the bench and rest our claws by shaking out our hands (1 min).

Rules

• Both hands always touch the rock.
• Every crab has its own piece of rock and doesn't step on the next crab.
• If you get tired, sit for a bit and come back.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: from the wheelchair, move along with hands on the bench while an adult helps move the chair.
• Less strength: rest on forearms instead of hands, or put the hands on a wall-bar rung, which is higher.
• Autism: go alongside an adult who does the same crab walk.

Learning goals

• Strengthen arms, shoulders and core.
• Move sideways alternating hands and feet.
• Keep the body straight while moving.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 4
• colchonetas: 4

Teacher tip

This is tiring, so keep stretches short and breaks frequent. The usual mistake is bending a lot at the waist; say "body like a board, like a ramp."

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