Human Conveyor Belt

Lying face down shoulder to shoulder on mats, group members roll together to carry a classmate lying across their backs from one end of the line to the other. Students work on body control, timing and trust.

How to play

1. Lay out two strips of 6 mats. Make two groups of 12 or 13 students of similar size, one per strip (2 min).
2. Six or seven students lie face down, shoulder to shoulder, with arms stretched overhead. They are the 'rollers' (1 min).
3. The rider lies face down across the backs of the first rollers, body stiff like a board and arms reaching forward (1 min).
4. On the group count ('one, two, roll!'), all rollers make one full roll in the same direction and the rider moves along. Repeat until the rider reaches the end and slides off (4 min).
5. The rider lies down as the last roller, and the first roller gets up to be the next rider. Keep going until everyone has ridden once (6 min).
6. Wrap-up: each group shares which cue helped them roll together (1 min).

Rules

• The rider keeps their head out past the line, never on top of a roller's head.
• Roll slowly and only on the group count.
• Rollers keep their arms straight and their elbows away from classmates' faces.
• Anyone who doesn't want to ride can send a giant ball across instead.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student leads the count and positions the rollers, and can ride if their condition allows.
• Autism or touch sensitivity: the student takes part as a roller at the end of the line or moves a giant ball across.
• Fitness level: group students by size and place bigger students as rollers, not riders.

Learning goals

• Control body rolling in sync with the group.
• Trust classmates and look out for their safety.
• Follow a shared count to move together.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 12

Teacher tip

Always do a first round with a giant ball to practice rolling together. Stand by the rider's head during the first trips, and stop the game if the rollers drift apart.

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