Upside-Down Tag: Hips Over Head to Stay Safe

A tag game where the only way to be safe is a hands-down position with the hips high. It gets wrists, shoulders and the shoulder girdle ready for the upside-down work in the lesson.

How to play

1. Free mobility for wrists, shoulders and neck while you explain the three safe positions: downward dog, wheelbarrow onto a mat and feet on the wall with hands on the floor (2 min).
2. Round one with four taggers in pinnies: only downward dog counts, and you can hold it for 5 seconds max (2 min).
3. Round two: add feet on the bench or wall; to be safe you must keep your eyes between your hands (2 min).
4. Round three in pairs: you're safe after a 3-step wheelbarrow with your partner; switch taggers (3 min).
5. Wrap-up: everyone rates their wrists from 1 to 5 and shares it with a partner (1 min).

Rules

• You can hold a safe position for 5 seconds max, then you have to run again.
• No getting safe with your head on the floor.
• Don't sprint across the mats; step on them only to get into position.
• If your wrist hurts, you're safe squatting with your fists on the floor.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited leg mobility: the student tags from a fixed zone with a pool noodle.
• Sore wrist: get safe on forearms (dolphin) or on fists.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: switch rounds by raising a colored cone instead of a whistle.

Learning goals

• Warm up wrists and shoulders before bearing weight on the hands.
• Get comfortable in hips-over-head positions.
• Self-check how your joints feel before inverted work.

Equipment for a class of 25

• pinnies: 4
• mats: 8

Teacher tip

Put the mats against the walls so they don't get in the way. The classic mistake is camping in the safe position: count the 5 seconds out loud the first few times.

More activities like this

More warm-ups for High School