Spider Web Challenge

A web of elastic cords is strung between poles and cones at different heights, and students must cross it by going over, under or between the strands without touching them. It works on crawling, jumping, twisting and planning movement.

How to play

1. Build 3 webs about 13 feet long by tying elastic cords between poles set in cones, at heights from 8 to 28 inches and in crisscross directions.
2. Make 3 groups of 8, one per web. Explain that the spider is asleep and wakes up if someone touches a strand (2 min).
3. Each student crosses from one side to the other choosing a route: jumping low strands, crawling under high ones and turning sideways between them. One goes when the previous student is halfway (6 min).
4. If a strand wiggles, the watching partner calls spider and the crosser goes back to the previous gap.
5. Rotate webs every 3 minutes; the last round (4 min) is crossed in pairs holding hands.
6. At the end, each group changes the height of two strands for the next class.

Rules

• Never grab or stretch the strands with your hands.
• Always go under high strands; nobody jumps anything above the knee.
• Only two people inside a web at a time.
• If a strand comes loose, stop and tell the teacher.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a web with only high strands to pass under in a wheelchair, or touch strands by hand as called out.
• Visual impairment: hang bells or bright ribbons on the strands and have a buddy guide by voice.
• Fitness level: each web has an easy zone and a hard zone to choose from.

Learning goals

• Adapt posture to pass over and under obstacles.
• Plan a route before moving.
• Control the body to avoid touching the strands.

Equipment for a class of 25

• elastic cords: 18
• cones: 12
• poles: 12

Teacher tip

Use stretchy cords that give so nobody trips, and tie knots to the poles, not the cones. Check tension between groups.

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