Snakes in the Swamp
A crossing game in which a few snakes slither through the swamp and try to touch the feet of students running from one side to the other. Anyone touched becomes a snake, so crawling, running and dodging are all combined.
How to play
- Mark a swamp about 40 x 30 feet with cones in the gym or on a clean floor, with a safe shore on each side.
- Choose 3 snakes who lie face down in the middle; everyone else waits on one shore.
- When the teacher calls swamp, everyone crosses to the other shore; snakes move by army crawling and touch runners' feet or ankles with a hand.
- Anyone touched lies down and becomes a snake for the next crossing. Cross again every 10 seconds.
- When 3 or 4 runners are left, they become the new snakes and a new game starts (about 4 games of 3 minutes).
Rules
- Snakes only slither with the belly on the floor, no standing or crawling on knees.
- Touch with a hand only; never grab or pull feet.
- Runners may not jump over a snake; go around.
- Stepping out of the side of the swamp counts as being touched.
Variations
Easier
Snakes may crawl on hands and knees, and the swamp is narrower.
Standard
Three slithering snakes, and anyone touched becomes a snake.
Harder
Runners cross hopping on one foot or with a beanbag on the head.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student plays as a snake in a wheelchair in an edge zone or crosses in a separate lane.
- Shy students: start as a runner holding a buddy's hand and choose when to become a snake.
- Fitness level: make the swamp longer or shorter for the group, and tired students rest on the shore for one crossing.
Learning goals
- Move by army crawling, using arm and leg strength.
- Dodge by changing speed and direction.
- Decide when and where to cross.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Play on a clean gym floor so crawling does not scrape skin. Watch that runners do not step on hands: ask them to pass a yard away from each snake.
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