Pack-Up Protocol: Team Mat Carry and Closing Checklist

Packing up the tumbling equipment becomes an organized team task with safe carrying technique and a checklist. It brings heart rates down and builds habits that protect backs and gear.

How to play

1. Safe-lift refresher: knees bent, neutral back, four people per mat and a 'lift' call (1 min).
2. Each team picks up the mats in its zone and stacks them in the marked spot, biggest to smallest (3 min).
3. Inspector team: uses the closing checklist to confirm nothing is left out, the stack is straight and no mats are torn (2 min).
4. In a circle, each team names one thing the stack reveals about the lesson (a torn cover, a station nobody used) and it's noted for next time (2 min).

Rules

• Nobody carries a mat alone or drags it.
• Walk, don't run, while carrying equipment.
• Anyone with back discomfort works as inspector.
• Damaged mats go to one side and the teacher is told.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: run the stacking order and sign the checklist.
• Back or shoulder injury: safety inspector.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: replace the 'lift' call with a finger countdown.

Learning goals

• Put equipment away safely and in order.
• Use a lifting technique that protects the back.
• Flag damaged equipment before next lesson.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 12
• closing checklists: 6

Teacher tip

Mark where each stack goes on the storage-room floor and the order keeps itself. The classic mistake is sprinting with mats at the end of class: the clock doesn't count here.

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