Wheelbarrow to Forward Roll
In pairs, one student wheelbarrows the other to the mat, and on arrival the student on their hands tucks the head and rolls forward while the partner lets go of the legs. Students practice crawling on the hands, the forward roll, and safe spotting.
How to play
- Pairs of similar size. Runways of 2 mats in a row (6 runways) with a foam wedge at the start of some to make rolling easier.
- Forward roll review (4 min): from a squat, hands on the mat, chin to chest, roll on a rounded back and stand up without hands. 4 per student.
- Wheelbarrow (3 min): the bottom student puts hands down and the partner holds the thighs, not the ankles. Travel 15 feet and switch.
- Slow link (5 min): wheelbarrow to the edge of the mat; the bottom student bends the arms and tucks the head while the partner gently lowers the legs during the roll. 3 tries each.
- Link with a finish (4 min): after the roll, stand up and freeze with arms overhead for 2 seconds; the partner scores the round roll from 1 to 3.
- Wrap-up (2 min): pairs share which spotting tip worked best.
Rules
- Rolls happen only on the mat, never on the floor.
- Safety: hold at the thighs or knees and let go gently, without pushing.
- The forehead doesn't touch the mat: the back of the head goes down.
- One pair per runway; wait until the mat is clear.
Variations
Easier
Roll down the foam wedge and wheelbarrow only 6 feet.
Standard
A 15-foot wheelbarrow linked to a forward roll and a final freeze.
Harder
Link the wheelbarrow to the roll and stand up without using the hands.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: be the guide who sets the rhythm with claps, or do a sideways log roll if possible.
- Shy students or fear of rolling: roll only on the wedge with teacher help before linking.
- Lower arm strength: hold the wheelbarrow at the knees, closer to the body.
Learning goals
- Perform a forward roll with a rounded back.
- Link traveling on the hands with a roll.
- Spot a partner safely and communicate clearly.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 12
- foam wedge mats: 3
Teacher tip
Holding the ankles is the dangerous mistake, so correct it right away. Have each pair agree on a code word ("now") for letting go of the legs.
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