Inside-Outside Circle Leader Warm-Up
The class forms two circles, one inside the other, with partners facing each other: the inside circle leads a move and the outside partner copies it. Every time the music stops, the outside circle rotates, so everyone leads several classmates and stays moving the whole time.
How to play
- Place twelve cones in a circle about 25 feet across; half the class stands inside facing out and the other half stands outside, each student facing a partner.
- With the music on, the inside partner leads a mobility or activation move for 30 seconds, and the outside partner copies it like a mirror.
- When the teacher stops the music, the outside circle jogs to the right three people over and faces a new partner.
- Repeat for eight switches, about 5 minutes, making each new move a little more intense than the one before.
- Halfway through, switch roles: the outside circle leads and the inside circle copies, and now the inside circle rotates.
- In the last minute, everyone repeats their favorite move from the ones they copied.
Rules
- Leaders can't repeat a move they've already used.
- Moves stay in place or travel no more than two steps.
- When rotating, everyone jogs to the right in the same direction.
- Safety: leave at least 6 feet between the two circles so arms and legs don't collide.
Variations
Easier
Switch every minute, with a list of moves posted on the whiteboard.
Standard
Switch every 30 seconds with moves the leaders make up.
Harder
Followers have to mirror the move and add their own small change in tempo.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student stays in one spot, and partners rotate to them.
- Autism or shyness: offer a card with move ideas for anyone who freezes up when leading.
- Fitness level: each pair adjusts the speed of the moves without stopping.
Learning goals
- Come up with warm-up moves smoothly and independently.
- Accurately copy movements led by different classmates.
- Interact positively with most of the class.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 12
- music: 1
Teacher tip
Use music with a medium tempo and clear stops. If the outside circle gets mixed up when rotating, set out a colored cone as a starting reference.
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