Two-Rope Ball Gondola

In groups of four, students pull two parallel ropes tight to make rails and carry balls on them to a hoop without touching them with their hands. Students work on cooperation, adjusting tension and communicating while moving.

How to play

1. Make six groups of four (one group of five with a guide who gives directions). Each group gets two 10-foot ropes; two students hold the ends of each rope (2 min).
2. Practice standing still: with ropes tight and a hand-width apart, the teacher sets a foam ball on top and the group holds it there for 20 seconds (3 min).
3. Carry: take the ball 15 yards to a hoop on the ground and drop it in by slowly spreading the ropes. If it falls, reload it where it fell (5 min).
4. Add obstacles: go around two cones and crouch under a rope held by the teacher. Groups agree on who sets the pace (5 min).
5. Class challenge: the central depot holds 24 foam balls and 12 tennis balls; in 4 minutes, all groups together must empty it (4 min).
6. Count the delivered cargo and share briefly what worked (1 min).

Rules

• The ball moves only on the ropes; touching it with hands means reloading.
• Never tie ropes around wrists or bodies.
• Walk only; no running with cargo.
• Safety: nobody drops their rope end suddenly, so it doesn't snap at classmates.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student holds a rope end from the wheelchair while the group matches their speed, or serves as the guide.
• Visual impairment: the student holds a rope and gets verbal cues from the guide about tension.
• Fitness level: more skilled groups carry two balls at once.

Learning goals

• Adjust rope tension and spacing with the group.
• Coordinate movement so the cargo doesn't fall.
• Contribute to a shared whole-class goal.

Equipment for a class of 25

• ropes: 12
• foam balls: 24
• tennis balls: 12
• hoops: 6
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

The usual mistake is letting the ropes spread on turns, so have the student on the outside of the curve bring their end in. Keep the cargo in a central bin to avoid collisions when loading.

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