Two Hoops and a Rope: The Impossible Delivery
A cooperative challenge with limited equipment: each group must deliver eight balls of different sizes to a bucket 50 ft away using only two hoops and a rope, never touching the balls with their hands. Groups design, test, and improve their system over several timed attempts.
How to play
- Five groups of 5, each with a start zone holding 4 foam balls and 4 tennis balls and a bucket 50 ft away. They may only use 2 hoops and one 10-ft rope (2 min).
- Design (4 min): the group tests systems (hoops as tongs, a taut rope as a rail, a hoop as a tray). Balls may be touched by hand only in the start zone.
- Attempt 1 (3 min): move as many balls as possible; a dropped ball goes back to the start. Someone from another group times and counts.
- Improve (2 min) and attempt 2 (3 min): the group adjusts its system and tries to beat its score. Repeat once more (5 min total).
- Final challenge (3 min): one hoop and two ropes, or everyone touching the equipment while moving. Each group then shows its best solution.
Rules
- Balls may not be touched with any body part outside the start zone.
- Never wrap the rope around your neck or wrists.
- Every group member must take part at some point in each attempt.
Variations
Easier
Foam balls only, bucket at 30 ft, and balls may be touched with the forearm.
Standard
Eight mixed balls, bucket at 50 ft, and three timed attempts.
Harder
Bucket at 65 ft behind a zigzag of cones, and the group may not talk during the attempt.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student acts as a fixed anchor or loads the system at the start.
- Shyness: assign roles (timer, designer, loader) so everyone has a clear job.
- Fitness level: the group chooses to move balls one at a time or in batches.
Learning goals
- Design a movement-based solution with limited equipment as a group.
- Evaluate each attempt and suggest improvements.
- Cooperate by sharing roles and listening to every idea.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 10
- ropes: 5
- foam balls: 20
- tennis balls: 20
- buckets: 5
- cones: 20
- stopwatches: 5
Teacher tip
Do not hand out solutions: ask what went wrong and what they would change. Keep ropes to 10 ft at most so they do not cross between groups.
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