Yes, No or Ask: A Walking Talk on Contact in Sport
A calm walk in pairs discussing everyday dilemmas about physical contact in sport: spotting, celebrations, coach corrections or locker-room jokes. It brings the heart rate down and reinforces that consent is part of sport too.
How to play
- Briefing: three possible answers for each dilemma: "yes, it's fine", "no, it's not" or "it depends: ask first" (1 min).
- Easy-pace walk in pairs: each pair takes a card, discusses it while walking and picks an answer (2 min).
- Swap partners and cards at the exchange cone; second dilemma (2 min).
- Walking circle: a few pairs share a dilemma they disagreed on and how they would ask (3 min).
Rules
- Walk slowly; the goal is talking, not getting somewhere.
- Talk about situations, never about specific classmates.
- You can pass on a card without explaining why.
- Sharing in the circle is voluntary.
Variations
Easier
Clear-cut dilemmas with an obvious answer.
Standard
Ambiguous dilemmas with the "it depends: ask" option.
Harder
Each pair writes how they'd actually word the question in that situation.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: walk in a wheelchair or sit in a circle with the same format.
- Hearing impairment: written cards and face-to-face conversation in good light.
- Student affected by a past experience: may walk with the teacher or act as the card reader.
Learning goals
- Bring heart rate back down.
- Tell apart accepted, unaccepted and unclear contact situations.
- Practice asking permission naturally.
Equipment for a class of 25
- dilemma cards: 10
Teacher tip
Sample dilemmas: a classmate corrects your posture by touching your back without asking; a celebration hug after a point; a photo in the locker room. The usual mistake is turning it into a lecture; let students do the talking.
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