Lokotx Biltzea: Basque Corncob Gathering Relay

An event from Basque rural sports (herri kirolak) in which a runner picks up corncobs laid out in a row and carries them one at a time to a basket. Here it becomes a bean bag relay that builds speed, braking and quick changes of direction.

How to play

1. Explain (2 min) that in the Basque Country and Navarre corncobs were set in a row and carried one by one to a basket; in Basque, lokotx means corncob and biltzea means gathering.
2. Make 5 teams of 5. Each has a bucket at the start and a line of 5 cones at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 m (7 to 33 ft), with a bean bag on each cone.
3. On the whistle, the first runner goes to the nearest cone, grabs the bag and places it in the bucket, then repeats until all 5 are in.
4. The second runner does the reverse: takes the bags out one at a time and returns them to the cones, starting with the farthest.
5. Gathering and setting out alternate until all 5 have run; the first team done wins (about 5 min per heat).
6. Run 3 heats, changing the running order; in the last one, each team tries to beat its own time.

Rules

• Bean bags are placed, never thrown; if one lands outside, put it back.
• Touch the cone with your hand on every trip.
• Keep lanes at least 3 m (10 ft) apart to avoid collisions.
• Waiting teammates cheer from behind the starting line.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: for a wheelchair user, place cones every meter and the bags on a bench so no bending is needed.
• Visual impairment: the student runs with a sighted guide who calls out each cone.
• Fitness level: students who tire run their leg with a partner, one cone each.

Learning goals

• Improve speed, braking and changes of direction.
• Learn about a Basque rural sport and its farming roots.
• Work with the team in a relay and respect the running order.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bean bags: 25
• buckets: 5
• cones: 25

Teacher tip

Each runner covers about 200 ft with stops, so this is intense: give a 1-minute break between heats. Remind students to brake with bent knees so they don't slip when they bend down.

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