Music-Stop Cone Grab Duels
Partners face each other with a cone between them, doing warm-up moves to the music; when the music cuts out, both try to grab the cone first. It trains reaction speed, focus and a gradual warm-up, and everyone plays the whole time.
How to play
- Set up partners in lines, facing each other 5 feet apart with a cone on the floor between them. Leave about 6 feet between pairs.
- Round one (1 minute): while the music plays, both partners do the move the teacher calls out: high knees in place, jumping jacks or squats.
- When the music stops, each student tries to grab the cone with the hand named before the round. Whoever gets it scores a point.
- Do 6 music stops in about 3 minutes, changing the move each time and alternating right and left hands.
- Every 3 stops, the partner with more points moves one spot to the right and the other moves one spot to the left, so everyone gets a new opponent.
- Final 2-minute round from a harder starting position (sitting, lying face down or facing away), then 1 minute of easy jogging.
Rules
- Grab the cone only with the named hand; the other hand stays behind your back.
- If both grab at the same time, split the point and no one tugs the cone.
- Safety: tilt your head slightly to one side so you don't bump heads when you reach.
- Moving before the signal loses that round's point.
Variations
Easier
Place the cone closer to the student who needs it and play only from a standing position.
Standard
Play 5 feet apart, standing, with three different moves called out by the teacher.
Harder
Before grabbing the cone, students must touch a knee or spin 360 degrees, depending on the round's cue.
Adaptations
- Students who use wheelchairs play with the cone on a chair or bench at hand height.
- For students with hearing loss, pair each music stop with a big arm signal or a quick flick of the lights.
- Less-fit students may march in place instead of jumping while waiting.
Learning goals
- Improve reaction speed to a sound cue.
- Stay focused while performing a warm-up exercise.
- Show good sportsmanship in winning and losing while rotating opponents.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 13
- music (speaker): 1
Teacher tip
Stop the music at unpredictable moments, never right at the end of a phrase, so students can't anticipate it. Check that pairs are well spaced to avoid side collisions.
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