Moving Bubble: Reaction Distance When Paths Cross

A preventive self-protection warm-up: the group walks and jogs around the space adjusting their safety distance to others under different cues. It warms the body up and trains awareness of surroundings.

How to play

1. Free walking inside a cone square: on "bubble", everyone stops and checks with arms out that nobody is inside their space (2 min).
2. Head-on crossings: in pairs, walk toward each other from opposite sides; when you see the other approaching, keep two arm lengths and change path with a side step (2 min).
3. Eyes-up jog: a student holding a scarf moves toward others; each person must spot them in time, step back into an open-hand guard and say "stop" (2 min).
4. Tight square: shrink the space by half and repeat the crossings; the group notices how the distance you can keep changes (2 min).
5. Quick share: each person says at what distance they still felt able to react (1 min).

Rules

• No physical contact during the game.
• The guard is open hands at chest height, never fists.
• Jog, don't sprint, to avoid collisions.
• Eyes up at all times; no phones.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: the student works with a guide who describes out loud who is approaching and from where; footsteps can be used as the cue.
• Limited mobility: the student stays on a fixed spot and turns to face whoever approaches, using voice and hands.
• Anxiety about being approached: start as an observer and join the crossing phase with a chosen partner.

Learning goals

• Warm up with movement and changes of direction.
• Perceive safety distance from other people who are moving.
• Link distance, posture and voice as the first preventive response.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 12
• scarves: 15

Teacher tip

A 15 × 15 m square works for 25 students; halve it for the tight phase. The usual mistake is the approaching student going too fast; remind them this is about perception, not surprise.

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