Pressure Corridor: Respond Assertively and Keep Going
Students walk a corridor where three classmates make peer-pressure offers to drink, smoke or vape, and must respond with an assertive technique before moving on and finishing with a basketball shot. It practices saying no firmly and respectfully while moving.
How to play
- Teach three techniques with examples: broken record (calmly repeating no), fogging (partly agreeing without giving in) and suggesting an alternative ('I'm going to play a pickup game, want to come?') (4 min).
- Form groups of six: a 20-meter corridor with three 'voices' standing at the sides with pressure-phrase cards, one walker and two waiting; there is a basket or target at the end (2 min).
- Rotations: the walker dribbles, stops at each voice, makes eye contact, responds with a different technique and continues to the shot; then roles switch (8 min).
- Voices put the cards down and improvise new phrases, always without insults (3 min).
- Wrap-up: which technique felt most natural and in which real weekend situations it could be used (3 min).
Rules
- Voices do not touch or physically block the walker.
- Pressure phrases contain no insults or personal references.
- Anyone can skip a role without giving a reason.
- Keep about 3 feet between the voice and the walker.
Variations
Easier
Only one voice, with pressure phrases written on a card to read.
Standard
Three voices, three different techniques and a final shot.
Harder
Voices insist twice in a row, and the walker must hold the answer without losing the dribble.
Adaptations
- Autism: gets written response phrases for each technique and can choose to be a voice reading from the card.
- Hearing impairment: voices show the phrase in writing, and the walker can answer in writing or in sign language.
- Limited mobility: travels the corridor in a wheelchair without dribbling and finishes with a throw at the target.
Learning goals
- Apply assertive techniques to resist peer pressure to use alcohol or tobacco.
- Keep motor control while handling a social situation.
- Respect others' decisions without insisting or pressuring.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 20
- cards: 15
- balls: 5
Teacher tip
Prepare about 15 cards with realistic phrases, such as 'one won't hurt' or 'the whole group does it.' Some students face this pressure for real: watch the mood and do not let the activity turn into mockery.
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