Seal Wrestling on the Mats

In pairs, lying face down head to head and propped up on their hands like seals, each student tries to make their partner's chest touch the mat by tapping or moving their hands aside. Students build upper-body strength, balance on their hands, and reaction time.

How to play

1. One pair per mat, lying face down with heads 3 feet apart and arms straight like seals (2 min).
2. Practice: hold the position for 10 seconds and shuffle a little side to side using only the hands, dragging the legs (2 min).
3. On the whistle, each seal tries to unbalance the other by moving or pushing one of their hands so their chest touches down; 15-second bouts.
4. Making the partner's chest or an elbow touch the mat scores 1 point; play 5 bouts with 15 seconds of rest between them (4 min).
5. Switch partners and repeat; finish with a cooperative seal round, giving alternating high fives without falling (4 min).

Rules

• Only touch the partner's hands and forearms.
• No getting up, using the legs, or touching the face.
• Keep heads 3 feet apart to avoid bumps.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: if lying down is not possible, play seated across from a seated partner with hands on a desk, trying to make the other lift a hand.
• Visual impairment: start with hands touching the partner's so the student knows where they are.
• Fitness level: shorten bouts to 10 seconds and allow weaker students to use their forearms.

Learning goals

• Build arm and shoulder strength in a support position.
• React to a partner's hand movements.
• Handle the frustration of losing balance.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 13

Teacher tip

Remind students not to let their lower back sag. Short rests are essential: arms tire faster than students expect.

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