Keep It on Your Right: Cone-Rounding Relay

A zigzag relay where each cone's color tells students whether to go around it keeping it on their right or their left. Students practice laterality while running, turning direction and teamwork while fixing their own mistakes.

How to play

1. Five teams of 5 in lines. In front of each line, 4 cones in a zigzag 13 feet apart: keep green cones on your right and red cones on your left (2 min).
2. Walk-through demo: a volunteer rounds a green cone (counterclockwise) and a red one (clockwise); everyone points to where the cone is (2 min).
3. First round at a jog: round all 4 cones on the correct side, run straight back on the outside and high-five the next teammate (3 min).
4. Scored round: rounding a cone on the wrong side means going back to redo it. One point to the first team done and one to every team with no mistakes (3 min).
5. Switch each line's colors; teams study their course for 30 seconds and say the plan aloud (3 min).
6. Final round: after the last cone, spin one full turn in the same direction as the rounding (2 min).

Rules

• Go around the cone without touching it.
• Return straight back outside the zigzag to avoid the next runner.
• Keep at least 10 feet between lines.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: for a student using a wheelchair, space cones 20 feet apart; their run counts the same.
• Autism: before each code change, the teacher walks the zigzag with the student.
• Fitness level: more challenge with side shuffles; tired students speed-walk.

Learning goals

• Distinguish clockwise from counterclockwise when rounding an object.
• Place an object on the right or left of their body while moving.
• Cooperate in a relay by accepting and fixing mistakes.

Equipment for a class of 25

• colored cones: 25

Teacher tip

When rushing, most kids round cones on their favorite side, so make the no-mistakes point worth more than finishing first. Use an observer from the next line so checking is fair.

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