Light-signal starts: Deaf athletics

Warm-up for the adapted sports unit that recreates the light-start system used in Deaf athletics. Students run short starts reacting only to visual cues and reflect on how a rule change guarantees fairness.

How to play

1. Two minutes of easy running with pace changes shown only with colored pinnies, no talking (2 min).
2. Explanation: in Deaf athletics the start is given with lights; one student holds a flashlight or phone 6 feet from the line (1 min).
3. 15-meter (50 ft) starts from standing: red light, on your marks; yellow, set; white flash, go (2 min).
4. Starts from sitting and facing backward, turning when the flash is seen reflected on the ground (2 min).
5. Quick comparison: does the group react faster to sound or to light? Try one start of each kind (1 min).

Rules

• Lanes separated by cones and a clear 33-foot stopping zone.
• The light is never pointed at runners' eyes: aim it at the ground in front of the line.
• In the backward start, the whole row turns to the same side.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: they can explain to the group how they experience starts in competition.
• Limited mobility: do the starts in a wheelchair or replace running with an arm reaction.
• Photosensitive epilepsy: avoid repeated flashes and use colored pinnies instead of light.

Learning goals

• Activate reaction speed to visual cues.
• Learn a real rule adaptation in Deaf sport.
• Appreciate how adaptations allow fair competition.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 12
• flashlights or phones: 3
• pinnies: 9

Teacher tip

Ask beforehand whether anyone is sensitive to flashing light. You can use a phone flashlight with a colored case or a sheet of plastic.

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