Plank Tunnel Ball Roll
Teammates get into a plank side by side to form a tunnel and roll a ball through it; the last player gets up, runs to the front and the tunnel moves forward to the finish. It builds core and arm strength through a cooperative challenge.
How to play
- Make 4 teams of 6 (any extra student referees and rotates in). Mark a start line and a finish line about 15 m (50 ft) away for each team with cones.
- The 6 players get into a high plank side by side, shoulder to shoulder and a hand's width apart, forming a tunnel under their bodies. Practice the position for 1 minute.
- The first player rolls the ball under the tunnel. When the ball comes out the end, the last player gets up, picks it up, runs to plank in front of the first player and rolls it again.
- The tunnel keeps moving this way until the whole team crosses the finish line. If the ball rolls out the side, return it to the spot where it left.
- Play 3 one-way trips (about 3 minutes each) with 1 minute of rest between them.
- On the last trip, the ball is replaced by a body: the last player army-crawls under the plank tunnel, which must stay strong and steady.
Rules
- No one drops their knees while the ball or a teammate is underneath.
- Roll the ball; never throw it.
- In the crawl version, the tunnel stays high and still, and crawlers move slowly.
- Anyone who needs a break drops to their knees only after the ball has passed.
Variations
Easier
Use knee planks, or form the tunnel in a "table" position (face up on hands and feet).
Standard
High plank with three 15 m trips.
Harder
Use two balls at once, or switch to a side plank as the ball passes.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: from a wheelchair, the student rolls the ball into the start of the tunnel or collects it at the end and hands it to the runner.
- Autism or touch sensitivity: in the crawl version, the student can keep rolling the ball instead of crawling under.
- Different fitness levels: each student picks a high, forearm or knee plank.
Learning goals
- Hold a stable plank while working with the group.
- Build core and arm strength.
- Coordinate team actions to move forward together.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft balls: 4
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Watch for hips that are too high or sagging, and keep tunnels away from walls. Only try the crawl version once the group can hold a solid plank.
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