Whistle and Hands: Lead the Warm-Up Without Talking

In groups, students lead the warm-up using only hand signals and a whistle, just like a coach at a noisy event. It gets bodies moving and builds a clear visual code for large groups.

How to play

1. The class jogs and learns five signals: arm up (attention and stop), arms crossed (find a partner), point (move that way), palms pushing down (slow down), and rolling fist (switch exercise) (2 min).
2. Groups of 6 in a cone square; one student leads a minute of mobility using signals only: short whistle to start, long whistle to stop (3 min).
3. The leader role rotates every minute until almost everyone has led (3 min).
4. One leader per group leads the whole class at once from a distance while everyone checks whether the signals read from 20 m away (2 min).

Rules

• Nobody talks, leader or group.
• Whistles are only for start and stop, never near anyone's ear.
• Signals are big and above the shoulders.
• If you don't get it, raise your hand and the leader repeats the signal.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the code is already visual; invite them to suggest the attention signal they use day to day.
• Low vision: stands close to the leader, and a classmate taps their shoulder at each change.
• Limited mobility: leads from the wheelchair using arm signals and includes upper-body exercises.

Learning goals

• Warm up with mobility and movement.
• Lead a group with clear visual signals.
• Prepare for the coach role at loud events.

Equipment for a class of 25

• whistles: 5
• cones: 20

Teacher tip

At an event with elementary kids, voices don't carry; this warm-up gets students ready for that. Not enough whistles? Use two claps. Common mistake: small chest-high signals that nobody can see from far away.

More activities like this

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