Knights' Tournament Movement Story
Knight apprentices get ready for the great castle tournament: they ride, cross the drawbridge, train with shield and sword and bow to the king. It works on galloping, balance and light strength, with no contact between students.
How to play
- Everyone spreads out. The teacher, as herald, announces the tournament and each apprentice saddles an imaginary horse by stretching arms and legs (30 sec).
- Ride: gallop forward and slide sideways around the court, switching lead foot on a clap (1 min 30 sec).
- Drawbridge: walk heel-to-toe along a court line with arms out, there and back (1 min).
- Shield and sword practice: in place, lunge forward with the arm reaching out and step back, alternating legs, 10 times (1 min).
- No-contact joust: in pairs, 5 yards apart, gallop toward each other and wave as you pass without touching; 4 passes (1 min 30 sec).
- Closing ceremony: bow to the king on one knee, stand up without using the hands and everyone claps (1 min 30 sec).
Rules
- No contact in the joust: always pass on the right.
- Swords are imaginary and never point at anyone's face.
- If someone falls into the moat on the drawbridge, they start over calmly.
- A knight follows the rules and congratulates others.
Variations
Easier
Walk the drawbridge with feet apart and joust at a walk.
Standard
Tell the full tournament story with gallop, drawbridge, training and joust.
Harder
Cross part of the drawbridge with eyes closed or walking backward.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: is the king or queen who hands out prizes and does the shield and sword part with the arms.
- Visual impairment: jousts with a partner guide and walks the drawbridge with a hand on the guide's shoulder.
- Fitness level: during training, students who want more challenge lunge deeper.
Learning goals
- Perform the gallop and slide with coordination.
- Keep balance while traveling along a line.
- Respect the rules of a no-contact game.
Teacher tip
Explain clearly which side to pass on in the joust before starting. Ask for a slow final bow to build leg strength.
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