Safety Plan for a School Tournament
In teams, students design the safety plan for a tournament the class will run: site hazards, where the first-aid kit and AED are, who is responsible for what and the evacuation route, then they check it by walking the facility. They practice anticipating risks and taking responsibility.
How to play
- Intro (3 min): the teacher sets the challenge, running a lunchtime tournament for other grades, and gives each team of 5 a campus map and butcher paper.
- Survey (5 min): each team walks its assigned court and notes hazards, such as slippery floors, unanchored goals, direct sun or no water.
- Design (8 min): on butcher paper, teams draw the facility, use colored cones as symbols, and mark the first-aid kit, nearest AED, meeting point, shade area and who is in charge of each.
- Protocol (4 min): they write five lines on what to do if someone is hurt, who calls 911 and who meets the ambulance at the gate.
- Test (3 min): one team reads a simulated incident and another team solves it using only its plan; note whether the plan worked.
- Wrap-up (2 min): the class picks the most complete plan to use at the real tournament.
Rules
- Walk during the site survey and stay in authorized areas.
- Every hazard found must have a specific fix.
- Every team member has at least one responsibility in the plan.
- Don't move goals or heavy equipment: just note the hazard.
Variations
Easier
Hand out a pre-drawn map and a hazard checklist to mark.
Standard
Full plan with survey, map, protocol and an incident test.
Harder
The plan must include participants with disabilities and an extreme heat day.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student reviews site accessibility and the adapted evacuation route.
- Visual impairment: the student describes the hazards out loud and a teammate draws them on the map.
- Gifted students: estimate how long an ambulance takes to reach the court from the front gate.
Learning goals
- Identify hazards at a sports facility and propose fixes.
- Write a simple response protocol for an injured player.
- Take on responsibilities in organizing a sports event.
Equipment for a class of 25
- butcher paper: 5
- markers: 20
- maps: 5
- cones: 20
Teacher tip
Ask administration to let the plan be used for real: knowing their work matters is very motivating. Locate the school's AED before class.
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