Walking Figures: Acrosport on the Move

Two- and three-person figures that don't stay still: the wheelbarrow, the caterpillar or the carried flyer move through a cone course. Students work on strength, coordination and shared rhythm.

How to play

1. Demo three moving figures: wheelbarrow (holding the thighs, not the ankles), caterpillar (three in a crouch, each with hands on the hips of the person in front) and queen's chair (two bases cross hands in a wrist grip and carry the seated flyer) (5 min).
2. Out-and-back between cones with the wheelbarrow, switching roles for the return (5 min).
3. Crouched caterpillar in threes with hands on the hips in front: move forward without letting go, with the last person setting the rhythm (5 min).
4. Queen's chair over 8 meters, in threes with rotation (5 min).
5. Cooperative relay, no stopwatch: each group picks a figure for each leg and completes the course without breaking it (5 min).

Rules

• Wheelbarrow: hold the thighs or knees and walk slowly; never push.
• If the person on their hands says "Stop," stop instantly.
• Short distances: 8 meters max per leg.
• All groups move in the same direction.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wrist injury: no wheelbarrow on the hands; bases in the queen's chair or calls the rhythm.
• Wheelchair user: joins the relay pushed by a partner, forming a "train" with another student holding their shoulders.
• Visual impairment: goes in the middle of the caterpillar with contact at the hips in front and behind.

Learning goals

• Coordinate the movement of two or three linked bodies.
• Keep a figure steady while moving.
• Build arm and core strength cooperatively.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym mats: 12
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

A wheelbarrow held at the ankles loads the lower back: always fix it. Set the lanes side by side and one-way so nobody crosses paths.

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