Hoop Drivers

Each student drives an imaginary car using a hoop as a steering wheel and travels around the blacktop following the teacher's commands: gears, reverse, curves, brakes and traffic signs. It works on locomotor skills, changes of speed and direction, and respect for others' space.

How to play

1. Each student takes a hoop and holds it in front like a steering wheel; mark a town of about 65 x 65 feet with cones.
2. Start the engine (3 min): walk around the whole space without touching anyone; when you get close to another car, turn the wheel and change direction.
3. Gears (4 min): first gear is walking, second is jogging, third is running; reverse is walking backward looking over the shoulder and brake is a sudden balanced stop.
4. Signs (4 min): the teacher holds up cards: roundabout (circle a cone), tunnel (duck down) and gas station (go to a cone and jump 5 times inside the hoop).
5. Taxis (3 min): in pairs, one drives and the other follows with hands on the driver's shoulders; switch on the call change drivers.

Rules

• A car that touches another stops and counts to three before going on.
• Hold the hoop in front at all times; never swing it or hit anyone with it.
• In reverse, look over your shoulder and walk only.
• Nobody leaves the town marked by cones.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: in a wheelchair, rest the hoop on the lap and follow the same commands with the wheels.
• Hearing impairment: every command has its own card or hand signal.
• Fitness level: students who need lower intensity stay in first and second gear.

Learning goals

• Travel while changing speed, direction and pathway.
• Use open space and avoid collisions.
• Follow the game's traffic rules.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hoops: 25
• cones: 10
• picture cards: 3

Teacher tip

Start very slowly until everyone controls the space; collisions drop when you praise careful driving. Keep the cards large and easy to see.

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