Hot Potato Fitness Circle

In circles of six, students pass a foam ball quickly while the music plays; when it stops, whoever has the ball picks an exercise and the whole circle does it together. It builds passing skills, listening to the music and a full-body warm-up.

How to play

1. Make four circles of 6 or 7 students, one step apart, with one foam ball per circle (1 min).
2. Start the music: the ball travels hand to hand to the right as fast as possible, without throwing (about 1 min per round).
3. When the music stops, the student holding the ball picks an exercise: 10 jumps, 5 squats, running in place, toe touches...
4. The whole circle does the exercise together for 15 seconds, then the music starts again (5 min total).
5. Halfway through, switch the passing direction and add a second ball to each circle.
6. Last round: alternate passes over the head and under the legs (1 min).

Rules

• Hand the ball off; never throw it.
• Holding the ball when the music stops is not a loss: you get to choose the exercise.
• You may not repeat the exercise someone just chose.
• If the ball drops, the student who dropped it picks it up and keeps passing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: set the circle at the student's level and include arm-based exercise options.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher raises a hand when the music stops so the signal can be seen.
• Shyness: the student can choose an exercise by pointing to it on the card instead of saying it.

Learning goals

• Pass and receive an object quickly and accurately.
• Lead the group in warm-up exercises.
• Respond to changes in the music.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam balls: 8
• music: 1

Teacher tip

So the ball doesn't always stop in the same hands, look away when you hit pause. Students usually love this game because getting the ball becomes a reward.

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