Russian Twist Beanbag Pass Race

Teams sit in a line in a V-sit and pass beanbags from one end to the other by twisting the trunk: each student picks one up from the floor on one side and sets it down on the other. Students build core strength and group coordination.

How to play

1. Make four teams of six. Each team sits in a line, shoulder to shoulder about 3 feet apart, facing forward. Ten beanbags at the start of the line and a hoop at the end (2 min).
2. Teach the V-sit: knees bent, heels on the floor, back straight and leaning back. The twist comes from the trunk, not just the arms.
3. On the signal, the first student picks up a beanbag on the right, twists and sets it on the left, where the next student picks it up. The last one drops it in the hoop.
4. The first team to get all ten into the hoop wins. Then pass back the other way. Four races with 1 minute of rest (7 min).
5. Final race: a 2-pound medicine ball travels down the line and back three times (3 min).
6. Lying back stretch with knees to chest (2 min).

Rules

• One beanbag at a time, always on the floor, no throwing.
• If someone skips a teammate, the beanbag goes back to that person.
• Keep the back straight; anyone with discomfort puts their hands down behind them.
• The medicine ball is set down on the floor, never dropped.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: joins seated in a wheelchair at the end of the line, twisting to receive and drop in the hoop.
• Autism: seat the student at one end of the line with only one neighbor and preview each signal.
• Lower fitness: may keep one hand on the floor behind or lean back less.

Learning goals

• Build strength and control in the abdominal muscles.
• Perform trunk twists with a well-aligned back.
• Coordinate with the team to pass quickly and accurately.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 40
• hoops: 4
• 2-pound medicine balls: 4

Teacher tip

Racing tempts students to twist only their arms and round their backs, so pause and model a good twist. Use beanbags rather than balls because they do not roll away.

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