Plan B: Adapting a Session to Half the Space

Groups get a short lesson planned for the outdoor field and must rework it in a few minutes for a small gym or half the space, like on a rainy day, and then lead it for another group. Students practice flexible planning, safety in tight spaces, and quick decisions.

How to play

1. Make 4 groups of 6 and give each a card with a three-task outdoor lesson (for example, 30 m relays, a tag game, and a scrimmage) (1 min).
2. Cone off 4 small areas about 30 x 25 ft. Each group has 6 minutes to adapt the three tasks to its area by changing distances, movement type, number of players, or equipment.
3. Each group writes on the card what it changed and why, including one new risk that comes with less space.
4. Lead (12 min): in pairs of groups, one leads its Plan B for the other for 6 minutes, 2 minutes per task, then they switch.
5. Wrap-up (3 min): the playing group says which adaptation best kept the intensity up and which felt least safe.

Rules

• No adapted task can include sprints toward a wall.
• Safety: all movement keeps at least 6 ft away from walls, pillars, and benches.
• Keep each task's goal even if its form changes.
• Use foam balls only in a small space.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: leads the Plan B and checks that the adapted tasks are accessible for them.
• Autism: gets the card before class to prepare for the change of plans.
• Lower fitness: plays with more rest breaks or serves as the safety observer.

Learning goals

• Adapt movement tasks to a smaller space while keeping their goal.
• Identify the risks that come with a small space.
• Lead an improvised session in an orderly, safe way.

Equipment for a class of 25

• lesson cards: 4
• cones: 24
• hoops: 12
• foam balls: 8

Teacher tip

Write cards with outdoor tasks that really need a lot of space so the challenge is real. Remember that fewer players per area is usually the best safety fix.

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