Wall Bar Traverse Challenges
Students traverse sideways along the gym's wall bars at low height while completing challenge cards, such as changing direction or passing a classmate. It is an introduction to climbing without a climbing wall that builds grip, footwork, balance and safety.
How to play
- Lay mats along all the wall bars. Mark the third rung with tape: feet may not go any higher.
- Spend 2 minutes on the basics: always three points of contact (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand), hips close to the bars and eyes on where your foot goes.
- Split the class into 4 groups of 6, one per section of wall bars. In each section, two students climb at once from opposite ends.
- Each climber draws a challenge card: "even rungs only," "one hand behind your back for 3 moves," "pass your partner without stepping down" and so on, and completes it end to end.
- When done, they hand the card to the next in line and become the helper on the mats. Each completed challenge scores a point for the group.
- Play for about 15 minutes and finish with a group challenge: everyone on the wall bars at once for 20 seconds without touching the floor.
Rules
- Feet never go above the third rung.
- Always keep three points of contact; move only one limb at a time.
- Climb down; never jump off.
- When passing, the climber on the outside waits until the other has three solid points of contact.
Variations
Easier
Traverse with no challenges and feet on the lowest rung.
Standard
Complete challenge cards with feet up to the third rung.
Harder
Combine two challenges at once and add a pass with a partner on every traverse.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student does grip and hand-walking challenges while seated or standing on the lowest rung.
- Visual impairment: shorten the section and have a partner describe the next rung.
- Low strength or fear: use 2-section traverses and rest with feet on the mat between challenges.
Learning goals
- Move sideways while keeping three points of contact.
- Improve grip strength and balance in climbing situations.
- Follow safety rules to prevent falls.
Equipment for a class of 25
- wall bars: 8
- mats: 10
- challenge cards: 20
Teacher tip
Check beforehand that the wall bars are securely anchored with no loose rungs. This is a great lead-in to climbing if your school does not have a climbing wall.
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