Treasure Guard Mat Wrestling

A partner ground-wrestling game: the guard, on hands and knees over three beanbags, protects them with their body while the kneeling attacker tries to take them in 30 seconds. Students build strength, balance, and body control while learning combative safety rules.

How to play

1. Make one continuous mat area and pair students of similar weight and height; an odd student joins a rotating trio (2 min).
2. Review the stop signal: two taps on the mat or saying 'stop' ends the bout immediately.
3. The guard gets on hands and knees with three beanbags between hands and knees. The attacker kneels beside them without touching.
4. On the whistle, the attacker has 30 seconds to get beanbags out by pushing, turning, or lifting the guard's trunk or arms. The guard may lower the chest and cover with the arms but may not lie flat.
5. Each beanbag moved off the mat is a point. Then partners switch roles.
6. Play 3 back-and-forth bouts per pair and switch partners at least three times.

Rules

• No grabbing the head, neck, hair, or clothes, and no twisting fingers or joints.
• Everyone stays on their knees or on all fours; no one stands.
• The stop signal is obeyed immediately.
• Short nails, and no watches, bracelets, earrings, or glasses.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: guard while seated with beanbags under the legs, and the attacker uses one hand.
• Discomfort with contact or shyness: start as timekeeper, then do 15-second bouts with a trusted partner.
• Strength: if there is a big difference, the stronger student attacks with one hand.

Learning goals

• Keep a stable base against pushes and pulls.
• Apply force with control while avoiding off-limits areas.
• Follow safety rules and the stop signal.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 12
• beanbags: 36

Teacher tip

Attackers tend to push from the same side every time; teach them to pull the guard's arm toward themselves to open a gap. Keep circulating and separate any pair that loses control.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary