Jigsaw Expert Warm-Up
A warm-up that uses the jigsaw method: each student learns one block of the warm-up in an expert group and then goes back to a home group to teach it. Everyone learns all four parts and is responsible for teaching one of them.
How to play
- Make home groups of 4 and number members 1 to 4. Set up four expert stations with cones and a task card at each: 1 joint mobility, 2 running and movement patterns, 3 muscle activation, 4 coordination and speed.
- Minutes 0-3: all number 1s go to station 1, all 2s to station 2, and so on. They read the card and practice its three exercises together.
- Minutes 3-4: each station agrees on how to explain the block in under a minute and on the most common mistake to fix.
- Minutes 4-11: students return to their home group and each expert leads their block for about 2 minutes, in order 1, 2, 3, 4.
- The teacher circulates and blows the whistle to change blocks every 2 minutes.
- Minutes 11-12: each home group shares which block was explained most clearly and why.
Rules
- Each expert is responsible for making sure their group does the block correctly.
- Keep the block order so intensity builds gradually.
- In the speed block, run in one direction only with 6 feet between students.
- Listen to the expert without interrupting; save questions for the end of their turn.
Variations
Easier
Cards include photos of each exercise and only two exercises per block.
Standard
Four blocks with three exercises each and 2 minutes per expert.
Harder
The expert must add a variation of their own and explain what the block is for.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: assign the mobility block or the arm coordination block, which the student can demonstrate from the wheelchair.
- Autism: give the student the card the day before so they can prepare the explanation and know the sequence.
- Lower fitness: in the home group the student may do the easier version listed on each card.
Learning goals
- Know the parts of a general warm-up and their order.
- Teach classmates a block of exercises clearly.
- Take individual responsibility within cooperative group work.
Equipment for a class of 25
- task cards: 4
- cones: 16
Teacher tip
Laminate the cards so you can reuse them. If a home group has 5 students, two share a number; if it has 3, the teacher leads the missing block.
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