Log Roll Tag: Roll Your Way Back In

A tag game where tagged players get back in by rolling safely along a mat. It warms up the whole body and takes away the fear of the floor before breakfalls.

How to play

1. Everyone practices the log roll: lying down with arms stretched overhead, roll from one end of the mat to the other (2 min).
2. Tag with four taggers in pinnies: tagged players go to a mat, log roll there and back, and rejoin (3 min).
3. Change the way back in: sitting on the mat, rock gently backward with the chin tucked and sit back up (3 min).
4. Switch taggers every minute and finish with free crawling over the mats (2 min).

Rules

• Tag with an open hand on shoulders or back, never a shove.
• One person per mat at a time; if it's taken, wait standing beside it.
• Keep the chin tucked when rocking back so the head never hits.
• Mats go along the edges, away from the running area.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: tag from a fixed spot with a pool noodle.
• Neck or back injury: replace the roll with lying down and sitting up three times.
• Students afraid to roll: do a slow log roll with a partner beside them calling out the end of the mat.

Learning goals

• Get the body going at high intensity.
• Roll on the floor safely.
• Protect the head when going backward.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 10
• pinnies: 4

Teacher tip

Push the mats against the wall so they don't slide. The usual mistake is rocking back with a loose neck: fix it in the first round before you speed things up.

More activities like this

More warm-ups for Middle School