Spirit Circle and Throwing-Arm Stretch
When the game ends, both teams form a single mixed circle, as at Ultimate tournaments, while doing gentle forearm, shoulder and hip stretches. A spokesperson from each team highlights something positive about the opponent and one play that showed good spirit.
How to play
- Both teams stand in a circle, alternating players from each team (1 min).
- Stretches led by a student: wrist flexors and extensors, cross-body shoulder and triceps, 20 seconds per side (3 min).
- Seated in the circle, hip and quad stretches while each team's spokesperson says something the opponent did well (2 min).
- Each team names one player from the other team for an act of fair play, and the circle ends with a group round of applause (2 min).
Rules
- Comments are always positive and specific.
- Stretches are gentle with no bouncing; nobody pushes into pain.
- While the spokesperson talks, everyone else listens without interrupting.
- Both teams mix in the circle, with no separate blocks.
Variations
Easier
The teacher leads the stretches and each team names only one positive thing.
Standard
Student-led stretches, spokesperson comments and fair-play recognition.
Harder
Each player shares one thing they would do better next game to improve the spirit.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: does the arm stretches from the wheelchair and sits in the circle at the same level.
- Autism: can listen without speaking and choose to be spokesperson another day.
- Hearing impairment: the student leader demonstrates each stretch, and the spokesperson faces them while speaking.
Learning goals
- Actively recover the joints used most when throwing.
- Publicly recognize the opponent's good play.
- Establish spirit of the game as the regular way to close games.
Teacher tip
Do it especially when a game has been tense: the circle helps close the conflict. Change the spokesperson every session so everyone takes a turn.
PatioLab has "Spirit Circle and Throwing-Arm Stretch" and 5176 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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