Low Ready Mirror: Volleyball Feet

A partner warm-up where one student copies the other's movements like a mirror. It wakes up the legs and ankles and locks in the low ready position used in volleyball.

How to play

1. Partners face each other 2 m apart between two cones set 4 m apart. Teacher-led ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder mobility (2 min).
2. The leader shuffles side to side between the cones in a low stance; the mirror copies without crossing feet (2 min).
3. Add steps forward and back; if the leader touches the floor with one hand, the mirror does the same (2 min).
4. Teacher calls: "Up!" and both mime an overhead set with a leg push; "Down!" and they mime a forearm pass. Switch leaders every 30 seconds (2 min).
5. Final challenge: after a clap, the mirror tries to reach a cone before the leader does (2 min).

Rules

• Ready stance: feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, weight forward.
• When shuffling, feet never cross or fully come together.
• Always watch your partner, not the floor, so you don't bump into other pairs.
• Shoes tied and 2 m of open space around each pair.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: the leader calls the direction out loud ("right," "back") and the distance drops to 1 m.
• Limited mobility or wheelchair users: move the chair between wider-spaced cones and perform full arm motions.
• Recent ankle injury: lead from a fixed spot using only arm and trunk motions.

Learning goals

• Hold the low ready position while moving.
• React quickly to visual and verbal cues.
• Warm up the lower body before the main activity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 30

Teacher tip

Line up the pairs in rows using the cones so no one drifts into the next pair. The most common mistake is standing up tall while moving: cue it with "keep your head at the same height."

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