Hick's Law on the Court: Simple vs Choice Reaction
Students measure their simple reaction time and their choice reaction time with two and four options on a tablet, then take it to the court with sprints to colored cones. They see that more options mean slower responses and why anticipation is key in sports.
How to play
- Using a reaction time app or website, each student taps the screen when the color changes; five tries and record the average (5 min).
- Repeat with choice: the screen shows two and then four colors, and you tap the matching button; record both averages (5 min).
- On the court in pairs, one shows a random color on the tablet that points to one of the cones set in a fan 5 meters away, and the other sprints to touch it; first with two colors, then four (8 min).
- Anticipation version: the partner showing the color glances at the cone a split second before, and students compare how much faster it feels (4 min).
- Group conclusion: how the number of options relates to reaction time, with examples of anticipation in sports like a handball goalkeeper (3 min).
Rules
- Cones are set in a fan and spread out to avoid collisions between pairs.
- Hold the tablet in your hand; never leave it on the ground in the starting area.
- Turns of five sprints, then switch roles to recover.
- Slow down as you touch the cone; no diving.
Variations
Easier
Use only two colors and two cones.
Standard
Simple, two-choice and four-choice reaction, on the tablet and on the court.
Harder
The color shows the cone you must NOT go to, which adds to the decision load.
Adaptations
- Visual impairment: stimuli are tones of different pitch, and a partner claps at each cone.
- Wheelchair user: responds by moving in the chair or tossing a ball into the hoop of the color shown.
- Autism: completes the whole tablet series first and chooses when to move to the court.
Learning goals
- Measure and compare simple and choice reaction time.
- Understand how the number of options affects response speed.
- Use anticipation to make better decisions in games.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tablets or phones: 14
- cones: 56
- worksheets: 28
Teacher tip
Free reaction time websites and random color generators work on any tablet. Simple reaction time is usually between 200 and 300 milliseconds at this age.
PatioLab has "Hick's Law on the Court: Simple vs Choice Reaction" and 5176 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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