Trust Protocol: From Pairs to the Zipper

A progression of backward trust falls from standing, with no height at all, that moves from pairs to trios and ends with the zipper: two lines of catchers with alternating arms. A required verbal protocol and safe catching technique turn the activity into practice in trust and shared responsibility.

How to play

1. Teach the faller's position: body stiff, arms crossed over the chest, chin tucked and feet together; and the catcher's: one foot forward, knees bent and hands at shoulder-blade height (4 min).
2. Practice the verbal protocol: «Ready?», «Ready», «Falling», «Fall away»; no one falls until they hear the last call (2 min).
3. Level 1 in pairs: the catcher stands a hand's width away and catches right away; the distance grows to half an arm only if both want it (6 min).
4. Level 2 in trios: the middle person tips forward and back between two catchers over short distances (6 min).
5. Level 3, the zipper: two facing lines of six catchers with alternating arms catch a faller who stands on the floor at the end of the line; volunteers go one at a time (5 min).
6. Closing circle: each student says which level felt comfortable and what made them feel safe (2 min).

Rules

• Never fall from a height: always stand on the floor and on mats.
• No falling without completing the verbal protocol, and any catcher can say «wait».
• Catchers stay focused and don't joke around while someone is falling.
• Each person chooses their top level, and no one pressures anyone else to go further.

Variations

Adaptations

• Back or neck injury: the student only catches at level 1 or runs the verbal protocol.
• Visual impairment: the student can fall at levels 1 and 2 after feeling the catcher's hands on their back before starting.
• Overweight students: add catchers in the zipper and have catchers stand closer in the trio.

Learning goals

• Build trust in the group through a controlled progression.
• Use safe catching techniques and respect a communication protocol.
• Respect personal limits and others' limits without pressure.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 8

Teacher tip

Supervise level 3 closely and skip it if the group hasn't taken the earlier levels seriously. Pair students of similar height and weight at levels 1 and 2.

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