Star Relay: A Different Move on Every Arm
Each team empties a four-arm star by collecting spot markers, and every arm requires a different way of moving: sprint, shuffle, backpedal or high knees. It is an agility relay packed with direction and movement changes, and everyone stays involved.
How to play
- Make 5 teams of 5. Each team gets a center hoop and four cones 6 yards out in a cross, with 3 spot markers by each cone and a card showing the move: north sprint, east shuffle, south backpedal, west high knees (3 min).
- Practice round: everyone makes one trip to each arm without racing to learn the moves (3 min).
- Relay: the first runner leaves the hoop toward any arm using that arm's move, grabs one marker, runs back facing forward and drops it in the hoop, then high-fives the next runner.
- The first team to empty all four arms wins; no one can go to the same arm twice in a row (4 min).
- Round two in reverse: return the markers to the arms with the same move going out and a backpedal coming back (4 min).
- Round three: teams plan an arm order that shares out the toughest moves, and the fastest team to follow its plan wins (4 min).
Rules
- Each arm must be done with its required move or the trip is redone.
- Carry only one marker per trip and place it in the hoop; no throwing.
- Safety: stars stay 4 yards apart and backpedalers look over their shoulder.
- The next runner waits for the high five.
Variations
Easier
Shorten the arms to 4 yards and let students move freely on the way back.
Standard
Arms at 6 yards, four moves and three rounds.
Harder
Add a fifth arm with carioca and require a two-foot jump into the hoop.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: shorter arms and adapted wheelchair moves, forward or turning.
- Hearing impairment: picture cards for each move and a hand tap to start.
- Lower fitness: walk the marker back on the backpedal arm.
Learning goals
- Switch between different movement patterns with quick direction changes.
- Plan an effective relay order as a team.
- Follow the relay rules with good sportsmanship.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 20
- flat disc cones: 60
- hoops: 5
- cardstock: 20
Teacher tip
Place the cards where everyone can see them, since forgetting the move is the most common error. If a team falls far behind, let two of its runners go at once in the last round.
PatioLab has "Star Relay: A Different Move on Every Arm" and 3999 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for Middle School
1-2-3 Touch Cooperative Rally
Two groups of three, one on each side of the net, work together to keep the longest rally possible in three phases: one touch, two touches, and three touches per side.
1-on-1 Mini Volleyball Up and Down the River
One-on-one mini volleyball duels on 3 x 3 m courts under a rope 2 m high, using a receive, self-set and send rule.
1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball
One-on-one games on narrow 10 x 20 foot courts where each player must self-pass before sending the ball over.
1-on-1 Side-Step Square Duels
In pairs, inside 5 x 5 m squares, an attacker holding a football tries to get from the starting side to the far side without the defender pulling a flag.
1v1 Four-Gate Soccer Duels
In a square with a gate on each side, two players go head to head and score by dribbling through any of the four gates.
2-on-1 Fast Break with a Chasing Defender
Two attackers push a fast break against a defender waiting at the basket while a second defender chases from behind with a few yards' head start against them.