Indiaca Circle: Palm Taps to Raise the Pulse

A warm-up with the indiaca, a large shuttlecock you hit with your palm. It builds hand-eye coordination and loosens shoulders and wrists.

How to play

1. Each pair has one indiaca. Solo palm taps while walking around the gym, switching partners every ten taps (2 min).
2. Partners 3 meters apart pass the indiaca with the palm, alternating right and left hands (2 min).
3. Three pairs join into a circle with one indiaca: count taps without a drop and with no one hitting twice in a row (3 min).
4. Same circle, but whoever hits it jogs a lap around the group before returning to their spot (2 min).
5. Guided wrist, elbow, and shoulder mobility with the indiacas on the floor (1 min).

Rules

• Hit with a firm open hand, never a fist.
• No one hits the indiaca twice in a row.
• Call "Mine!" before going for it so nobody collides.
• Don't pull or throw the indiaca by its feathers.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: use a large balloon with a bell inside and play with a guide partner who calls it out.
• Students with limited mobility: play seated in the center of the circle while others send them soft passes.
• Students with a hand injury: hit with the forearm of the other arm or keep the circle's count.

Learning goals

• Warm up the upper body before striking games.
• Control the height and direction of a palm hit.
• Coordinate with the group to keep the indiaca in the air.

Equipment for a class of 25

• indiacas: 15

Teacher tip

No indiacas? Make them from a sock ball with strips of paper or tape as feathers. Remind students the hit comes from the shoulder, not just the wrist.

More activities like this

More warm-ups for Middle School