Seated Sole-to-Sole Leg Push

In pairs, sitting face to face with the soles of their feet together and hands planted behind them, each student pushes with their legs to drive their partner back to a cone. Students build leg strength, posture control, and the ability to accept results.

How to play

1. One pair per mat, seated face to face with knees bent, soles together, and hands planted behind; place a cone 3 feet behind each student (2 min).
2. Cooperative practice: push in turns, one yielding while the other extends, like slow-motion pedaling (2 min).
3. On the whistle, both push; the winner drives the partner back until their back or hand touches their cone, with a 15-second limit.
4. Play 5 bouts per pair, then switch partners by rotating one mat (5 min).
5. Final round using only one leg each, then a quick talk about how planting the hands helped push harder (3 min).

Rules

• Soles stay in contact; no kicking or pulling the feet away suddenly.
• Play barefoot or in clean sneakers on the mat.
• If anyone says "stop," both ease off the legs slowly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited leg mobility: play palm to palm seated in a wheelchair, pushing against a partner who also uses their hands.
• Hearing impairment: start with a tap on the partner's shoulder or a visual signal.
• Fitness level: pair by leg length, since longer legs give an advantage.

Learning goals

• Apply leg strength in a controlled way.
• Keep a stable posture by planting the hands well.
• Enjoy shared play while accepting wins and losses.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 13
• cones: 26

Teacher tip

Check that no one locks their knees completely when pushing: they should stay slightly bent. It is a calm combatives game for very energetic classes.

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