What I Feel vs. What I Do: Blindfolded Squat

Blindfolded, each student squats and hinges trying to reach a specific position and, before seeing the video, predicts how they did. Comparing feel with the real image trains body awareness and makes self-assessment more accurate.

How to play

1. Explain the challenge: lower until the thighs are parallel to the floor and hold 2 seconds; the partner records from the side (2 min).
2. Wearing a blindfold, the lifter does 3 reps and writes a prediction: above, at or below parallel, and whether the back was neutral (4 min).
3. Watch the video and compare it with the prediction; record the correct guesses (3 min).
4. Practice with a reference: box squat to the right height with eyes open and then closed, to memorize the feeling (5 min).
5. Repeat the blindfolded challenge, now with a 45-degree hinge, and work out the percentage of correct predictions (6 min).

Rules

• While blindfolded, the partner stays within arm's reach to prevent loss of balance.
• No external load is used in the blindfolded part.
• The area must be clear of equipment for 6 feet around.
• Videos are deleted at the end of the session.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: the partner verbally describes the position reached and it is compared with the prediction.
• Balance problems: does the challenge sitting down onto a bench and standing up.
• Anxiety when blindfolded: closes the eyes only on the way down and may open them at any time.

Learning goals

• Improve awareness of body position in the basic patterns.
• Check self-assessment against objective data.
• Adjust technique based on the gap between feel and image.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tablets or phones: 15
• cards: 30
• boxes: 6
• blindfolds: 15

Teacher tip

Blindfolds can be replaced with beanies pulled down or simply closed eyes. Students are usually surprised at how little feel matches the image: use it to talk about the value of external feedback.

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