Newspaper on the Chest Relay
Students press a double sheet of newspaper against their chest, let go, and run fast enough for the air to hold it there with no hands. Through relays and varied courses they work on speed, acceleration, and running control.
How to play
- Explore (3 min): each student holds an open double sheet on their chest; on the signal, let go and run straight for 15 yards. How fast do you have to go to keep it from falling?
- Teams of 5 line up behind a cone with another cone 15 yards away. Simple relay (3 min): run down and back without touching the sheet and hand it to the next runner.
- If the sheet falls, pick it up, put it back on your chest, and restart from that spot, not from the beginning.
- Turn relay (3 min): run around the far cone; you have to speed up in the turn to keep the sheet on.
- The train (4 min): all five teammates run in a line, each with a sheet; the team scores if every sheet reaches the end cone. Repeat with a new engine in front.
- Wrap-up (2 min): talk about when the sheet falls most often and why.
Rules
- Hands go behind your back or out to the sides as soon as you start running.
- Stay in your own team's lane.
- Torn sheets are folded and saved for the next game.
- Safety: 10 feet between lanes, and eyes ahead, not on the sheet.
Variations
Easier
Use a folded half sheet, which is lighter, and straight 10-yard runs.
Standard
Use an open double sheet, 15-yard relays with a turn, and the train game.
Harder
Zigzag through cones, or run with two sheets, one on the chest and one on the belly.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: in a wheelchair, the sheet goes on the lap or chest while a partner pushes.
- Autism: preview with a demonstration and let the student choose when to start within their turn.
- Fitness level: may run a shorter leg marked by a middle cone.
Learning goals
- Accelerate and hold top speed for 15 yards.
- Adjust running through turns and direction changes.
- Discover firsthand how air pushes on you as you run.
Equipment for a class of 25
- newspaper: 30
- cones: 10
Teacher tip
Large newspaper sheets work better than glossy magazine paper, which slides off. Save the sheets afterward to make paper balls in another lesson.
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