Race Walking with Judges and a Penalty Zone

A race walking event in waves on a 200-meter loop, with student judges who raise yellow paddles for loss of contact or a bent knee. Anyone who collects three warnings spends 30 seconds in a penalty zone and keeps racing.

How to play

1. Review the two rules: one foot always in contact with the ground and the front leg straight from contact until it passes under the body (3 min).
2. Mark a 200-meter loop with cones and a penalty zone by the finish, and place four judges with card stock paddles around the course (3 min).
3. Wave one, wearing pinnies: half the class walks for 6 minutes while the other half judges and takes notes; a warning is given by raising the paddle and calling the name (7 min).
4. Wave two with roles switched (7 min).
5. Review the notes: which fault was most common and how to fix it (5 min).

Rules

• Every warning is given respectfully and clearly, without shouting.
• In the penalty zone, wait 30 seconds standing, then rejoin the race.
• Always pass on the outside without pushing.
• Judges stand outside the loop, to the side of the course.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: serves as chief judge and coordinates the whole judging team's warnings.
• Hearing impairment: every warning comes with the paddle held at eye level.
• Overweight: walks at their own pace; warnings are given only for technique, never for speed.

Learning goals

• Perform race walking technique within the rules.
• Observe and judge classmates' technique with sound criteria.
• Accept officials' decisions with good sportsmanship.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 20
• card stock: 8
• stopwatch: 2
• pinnies: 14

Teacher tip

Make the paddles from yellow card stock and a wooden stick; they last all year. Before starting, show a slow-motion video of a loss-of-contact fault.

More main activities for High School