Rock-Paper-Scissors Feet Cheerleaders
Rock-paper-scissors duels played with jumps, where the loser becomes the winner's cheerleader and follows them chanting their name. Students work on jumping and coordination, and above all learn to lose cheerfully and cheer for others.
How to play
- Teach the foot signs (2 min): rock, feet together; paper, feet apart to the sides; scissors, one foot forward and one back. Jump twice saying "rock, paper" and show your sign on the third jump.
- Students spread out. On the signal, each finds a partner, they greet each other, and play a best-of-three duel.
- The loser lines up behind the winner with hands on their shoulders and starts cheering, calling out the winner's name and clapping.
- The winner looks for another winner to duel, bringing the whole cheering section along. If they lose, their entire cheering section joins the new winner's line.
- The round ends with a grand final between two students and the whole class cheering. Play 4 rounds of about 2 and a half minutes.
- Wrap-up (3 min): How did it feel to lose? Was it hard to cheer for the person who beat you? What did you like about being cheered for?
Rules
- Greet your opponent before and after each duel.
- Cheerleaders use only positive words, never against the opponent.
- Lines move at a walk so nobody trips.
Variations
Easier
Play with hand signs while walking, and make each duel a single game.
Standard
Foot-sign duels, best of three, with cheerleaders in a line.
Harder
Before each duel, hold a 5-second balance challenge, and cheerleaders must copy their leader's jumps.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility can use hand signs, and their cheering section stands beside them instead of behind.
- For students with autism who dislike touch, cheerleaders walk behind without holding shoulders.
- For students who get frustrated when they lose, give them the special job of head cheerleader who makes up the chants.
Learning goals
- Coordinate jumps with different foot positions.
- Handle the feeling of losing and celebrate someone else's success.
- Follow the rules and greet the opponent in every duel.
Teacher tip
Push the cheering sections to get loud: the best moment is the final with the whole class chanting two names. Watch for students who get upset when they lose and praise them when they cheer well.
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