One-Leg Chain: Pass the Beanbag Down the Line

In lines, everyone stands on one foot while a beanbag travels hand to hand in trickier and trickier ways. It works static balance in a calm, cooperative challenge.

How to play

1. Lines of five, shoulder to shoulder, an arm's length apart. Everyone stands on one leg (1 min).
2. The beanbag goes from first to last hand to hand at chest height, then back (1 min).
3. Pass it overhead and, on the way back, behind the back; switch legs every trip (2 min).
4. Challenge: three full trips without anyone putting their other foot down. If someone does, keep going and it counts as half a trip (2 min).
5. The last person in each line takes the beanbag to the box, hopping or walking (1 min).

Rules

• Hand the beanbag over; don't toss it.
• If you lose balance, touch down and carry on: nobody is out.
• Leave enough space so arms don't collide.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visually impaired students: the passer taps their shoulder before handing over the beanbag.
• Wheelchair users: pass without leaning on the backrest, other arm held out to the side.
• Students with an ankle injury: stand on the healthy leg or rest the other on a bench.

Learning goals

• Improve one-leg balance.
• Coordinate passes with the group.
• Calm down with a cooperative challenge.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 6

Teacher tip

Have lines face a wall so they have a fixed point to look at. If a line gets frustrated, let them choose the leg on every trip.

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