Rotating Roles Warm-Up Squads
In groups of four, each student has a job during the warm-up: leader, technique checker, timer, and hype person. Roles rotate every 2 minutes, so everyone gets to experience leading, monitoring, and motivating a group.
How to play
- Make groups of four and give each group four role cards and one task card listing eight warm-up moves in order.
- Explain the roles in 1 minute: the leader demos and leads; the checker watches and gives one cue; the timer runs 30 seconds per move; the hype person cheers and counts reps out loud.
- Each student draws a role card at random, and the group starts on the first two moves on the task card; everyone does the moves, including the role holders.
- At 2 minutes, blow the whistle: role cards pass to the person on the right, and the group moves on to the next two moves.
- Complete four rotations, about 8 minutes, so every student has had all four roles.
- In the last minute, each group talks about which role was hardest and why.
Rules
- Everyone does the moves, no matter which role they have.
- The checker gives only one cue per move, and it's always positive.
- Hand the role cards over; never toss them.
- Safety: the leader checks that the space is clear before any traveling move.
Variations
Easier
Use only two roles, leader and timer, rotating every minute.
Standard
Four roles rotating every 2 minutes, using the task card.
Harder
The leader picks their own moves for the current phase, and the checker fills out a short observation sheet.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student can spend more time as timer or checker and do seated versions of the moves.
- Shyness: the leader role can be demo-only while the hype person reads the card.
- Fitness level: every move on the card has an easier and a harder version.
Learning goals
- Take on different responsibilities within a group.
- Give and receive feedback respectfully.
- Complete an organized warm-up by following a card.
Equipment for a class of 25
- role cards: 24
- task cards: 6
- stopwatches: 6
Teacher tip
Color-code the role cards and add sample phrases for the checker and the hype person, since at first they won't know what to say. Keep a close eye on the checker role.
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