The Group Wall: Everyone Over the Vaulting Box

Each group must get all its members over a tall vaulting box that serves as a wall, with no steps or springboard and a planned spotting system. The challenge combines planning, physical teamwork and strict safety management, since the last people over are the hardest.

How to play

1. Set up two stations, each with a four- or five-section vaulting box and mats on both sides, and form groups of 12 to 14 (3 min).
2. Teach the allowed assists: a step made of interlaced hands, a foot on a bent thigh, and two spotters catching on the far side; stepping on shoulders or heads is not allowed (5 min).
3. Each group spends 4 minutes planning the order, who spots on each side and how the last person will get over, then explains the plan to the teacher before starting (4 min).
4. Run the challenge: one person crosses at a time, always with two spotters below on each side; if someone touches the floor outside the mats, only that person starts over (12 min).
5. Review: each group names the decision that helped most and the least safe moment, and suggests an improvement (6 min).

Rules

• Never more than one person on top of the box.
• No stepping on shoulders, heads or backs: only interlaced hands and thighs with a bent knee.
• Two spotters must be ready on the far side before anyone climbs down, and everyone climbs down facing the box.
• Anyone can call «stop» and the group freezes right away.
• Students who don't want to cross can serve as spotters or planners without penalty to the group.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility or injury: the student is safety lead, gives the go signal and checks that spotters are in place.
• Overweight students: they can cross early with extra spotters or choose to be a base forming the hand step.
• Visual impairment: the student crosses with a partner describing each hold and constant physical contact from spotters.

Learning goals

• Plan a movement solution as a group and anticipate the risks of each phase.
• Use safe spotting and catching techniques in tasks involving height.
• Value every member's contribution, including those who help without crossing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• vaulting box: 2
• mats: 6
• cones: 8

Teacher tip

Always stand by the active station and don't let a group start until you've heard the plan, especially how the last person gets over. The box should sit below chest height of the shortest student.

More main activities for High School