As the weather gets warmer children are ready for a change as you train them. Try the option of doing field days and relays with your kids . They are a great finale to your fitness training sessions.
Relays and field day activities reinforce teaching direction, timing, agility, and coordination. They also teach the importance of cooperation, conforming to following rules, and winning and losing games graciously. Emphasis should be on improving skill; not to prove who is the best athlete in games. Group instructors can also individually time students and see their improvement in a skill by performing the relays at the beginning and ending of a training program. It is also a great way to test kids without having to buy special equipment. Relays can be easily done with cones, beanbags, ropes, balls and other ordinary gym equipment. Some relays do not need any equipment at all. Most relay and field days can be played inside or outside.
Five basic types of relays follow. A variety of relays make great field days/ relay events.
TRADITIONAL RELAYS
Traditional relays consist of each person taking a turn and then sitting down after he has completed the event. In traditional relays students run from one area to another and back, often passing a baton or wrist band to the next runner. The winning group is the first team to complete the task.
For a fun twist, on a hot day, use water instead of a baton. It can be transported with a bucket, bottle or sponge.
MODIFIED RELAYS
Modified relays are number, letter , or word-calling relays. They teach the kids to be alert to the task when called. An example of a modified relay would be "Stealing the Bacon". Players are divided into two teams. The teams face each other . Players are numbered in sequence. If there are eight players on each team, they will be numbered 1 through 8 . A "caller" puts the ball /object into the playing area and yells out a number.
The two players with that number run to get the "bacon" (ball or object). The player not in possession of the object or ball may try to win the "bacon" by tagging the other player who is attempting to take the object.
LOCOMOTOR RELAYS
Locomotor relays teach locomotors skills and use controlled movements. They have a definite starting and ending point to distinctive parts of the room or area. An example of a locomotor relay would be balancing something on a person¹s head or other body part to a beginning and end point of a race.
STABILITY RELAYS
Stability relays teach balance, movement, control ,and coordination of a teacher-selected object. An example of a stability relay would be taking a egg and balancing it in a spoon from the start of a line to the end of the relay. Another example of a stability relay is to wrap a student from head to toe with toilet paper without it coming off their body. This is a good game to use at Halloween or Christmas party to make a mummy or a snowman.
MANIPULATIVE RELAYS
Manipulative relays are a great way to practice skills. Kids go from one place to another performing the relay, running and dribbling a ball or skipping, hopping, etc. A combination of these skills can also be implemented.
When doing relays there are many basic guidelines that should be followed. Keep teams small. Teams of relays should not be more than 4-6 players long since kids spend a portion of their time waiting to perform the tasks. Make sure that teams are equal in number. If there's an unequal team have students take turns being the additional person for their team. Never do a relay more than twice during a game session unless kids are very motivated to try the game again.
Teams should be frequently changed so less skilled participants can be moved to different teams discretely. Infractions of the rules should be discussed and emphasis on positive social learning should be addressed. Make sure that the area is safe and free from any obstructions. Modify your relays as needed. Have uncooperative kids sit out for one round, if infractions of rules are frequently ignored.
There should be a definite starting, ending, and turning point in the relay. Have the children sit down and then make sure they are quiet and listening to instructions of the leader. Use a definite signal to start and end the relay. Cones, chairs, large water bottles are very effective for marking the key points of the course. Walls for turning or ending points in a race should not be used in a relay. They are dangerous and can cause accidents with overzealous players. A non-pointed or soft object that the child carries to another member of their team when they have finished the event is an effective way of having the children/ teacher know who is the active participant in the event.
The group game leader should demonstrate and verbally explain how to do each part of the relay. Sitting down after the player¹s turn is a good signal that the child has finished the task. It also calms the runner down after he has completed the event.
Kids often need a trial run and a chance to practice the relay in order to give them confidence to successfully do the event. It also helps the group fitness instructor discover which parts of the game should be explained again. Kids then can act as teachers and explain the relay in their own words to the other participants. Sometimes children can be the best teachers. Never be afraid to stop a relay and explain things again that are confusing . Never force a child to participate. Rather, have them act as your assistants, gofers, or monitors of the game if they would not like to participate. Frequently encourage them to join in.
Here is a starting point for identifying great ideas to use in your next field day/ relay event. Field days and relays can be a fun part of your group instruction. What a great way to help children participate in fitness!
RECOMMENDED LINKS
Education World Relays
Fun Attic Relays
Making Field Day a blue ribbon memory for all
NC Physical Education Institute Scouting Games
Christina Chapan is an ACE certified personal trainer, fitness author, education conference speaker and elementary school teacher. Christina has a B.S. from North Central University in Elementary Education, an M.A. from Governors State University, and a C.P.T. from the American Council of Exercise. Christina teaches third grade, elementary science, the Character Educational Lunchtime Coordinator for lower and middle elementary at her school, works in the after-school care program and teaches fitness classes for children at her local recreational center and church.
You can preview her "Fit 4 Fun Kids Training Website “ at http://worknotes.com/IL/Chicago/Fit4FunKidsFitness/
Relays Revisited
As I mentioned last month, relays are a great way to test and challenge students at the end of a training season. They are fun, easy to do, and allow students to show off the skills that they have learned in their physical education or exercise recreational classes. The games that follow are excellent resources for any classroom teacher, youth pastor, personal trainer, parent, or anyone who loves to work with children
The Great Clothing Race
Materials: two sets of winter clothing
Have students take turns putting a hat, coat, gloves, mittens, and a scarf on themselves. After each student has had a chance to get dressed, they should run back to the starting line and tag the next person in line to start to get dressed. The team that finishes first is the winner. For a change of pace ,have other students dress the student themselves. This relay reinforces hand and eye coordination and speed.
Trash Collection Day
Materials: hula-hoop and beanbags
Put a hula-hoop in each corner of your play area. Have equal numbers of beanbags in each hula-hoop. Divide the kids into teams. Each team stands by 'their' hula-hoop. This is their yard! Instruct them to begin to throw their trash in the other members’ yard. Each group has to empty their hula-hoop by carrying the beanbags; one per trip to another team's yard (hula-hoop). The beanbags have to be put into the other team's yard. Tossing is acceptable if the beanbag lands in the hoop, if not they have to retrieve it from the fallen area and put it in the hula-hoop. Make sure team members watch where they are going, to avoid accidents running into the other team. Count the number of beanbags in each hoop at the end of the game. The team with the fewest beanbags (the least garbage) wins. This is a great game to do during Earth Day. After the game discuss with the students the importance of how the earth looks after everyone has picked up their trash. This game reinforces teaching direction and cooperation with other team members
Pop Till They Drop
Materials: chairs and balloons
Put two chairs at one end of the hall and have two lines of students at other end of hall. The first student runs up to a chair and put their balloon on it. They are to sit on the balloon on the chair, jump up and down on the balloon with their gluteus maximus, until it is broken. Then the student runs back to tag the next person. They repeat the process of breaking the balloon. The relay continues until the whole group has finished. The group who has broken the most balloons at the end of the relay is declared the winner. If a student takes a long, time to break the balloon, have him go back and give it to another member on his team. This relay teaches speed. If you want to take away the competition aspect of the game, have extra balloons for the team that finishes early breaking. Half of the fun is just breaking the balloons and making noise.
Waddle Wonderland or an Eggspectacular Event
Materials: Plastic Egg, Box, or Basket
Provide each team member with a plastic egg. When the relay begins, the first person on each team puts the plastic egg between his knees and waddles to a box that has been set up at a fixed distance away. The student must get close enough to the box so that when he releases his knees the plastic egg falls into the box (nest). The student runs back to the team and tags the next person in line, who picks up the next egg ,and waddles off to deposit it in the nest. The first team to finish first, or put the most eggs in the nest, is the declared the winner. This relay also reinforces speed, direction, coordination, and agility.
Mummified Madness
Materials: toilet paper
Wrap a person with toilet paper. One person on the team may wrap the lucky participant, or the whole team can join in for the effort. (For a variation, make a snowman using winter clothing and electric tape for eyes and mouth. Add a carrot in the mouth for a nose!) This relay teaches cooperation and problem solving with other team members. The team that fully covers the mummy first with toilet paper wins!
Sliders
Materials: Two shoe boxes for each team to put their feet into
Provide each team with two shoeboxes. At the start of the race, the first member of each team puts one foot into each shoebox, slides his or her way to a cone that is set up at a destination point, and then slides back to the team. When that student returns to the team, he or she jumps out of the shoeboxes and the second student "puts them on.” The relay continues until the last member returns to his or her team. The first team to finish is the winner. If you do this relay outside, have extra boxes available since they break and wear easily on asphalt. Direction and speed are emphasized in this relay.
Here is a starting point for identifying great ideas to use in your next field day/ relay event. Field Days and relays can be a fun part of your group instruction. What a great way to help children participate in fitness.
Suggested Resources:
Education World Fifteen Relays for Field Days
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp315-02.shtml
Fun Attic Relays
http://www.funattic.com/game_relay.htm
NC Physical Education Institute
http://schools.eastnet.ecu.edu/pitt/ayden/physed8.htm
RELAYS RULE!
Relays are a great way to get people together. They teach cooperation, specific sport skills, and teamwork. They are a wonderful way to start the school year!
Blind Buddy Relay
Materials: Two blindfolds, obstacles of your choice, and floor tape to mark alleys
Divide the class into two equal teams with each team forming two lines. Teammates pair up — one player blindfolded and the other being the guide. They are led through the obstacle course and the object of the game is not to let any of the objects fall down. If they are knocked down, the players must pick up the objects before continuing. When all of the teammates have had a turn being both the guide and the blind person, the game ends.
Stranded Relay
Materials: tape a small area or have a carpet sample
Divide the groups equally. See which group can get everyone on the small area. Both feet must be placed on the small area. The first group to cooperatively stay in the area for thirty seconds — wins.
Toss-Catch Basketball Relay
Materials: one ball and basket for each team
Each team lines up behind the start line. One tosser from each team stands behind another line about twenty feet away from the start line. The first person in each line holds the bucket and steps up to the line to catch. The tosser lobs the ball to the catcher, who attempts to catch the ball in the bucket without stepping over the line. If it is a miss, the catcher throws the ball back to the tosser, and they go again. After three unsuccessful attempts, the next two people in line go. When the ball is caught, the catcher takes the ball out of the bucket and runs to become the next tosser on the opposite line. The first tosser runs to the end of the team’s line. The new tosser lobs the ball to the next person in line. The first team to have everyone catch and throw a ball is the winner.
Custodian Relay
Materials: a towel for each team
Each team lines up behind the start line with a towel. On the signal to start, the first player in line pushes the towel to the turning line and back to the start line as quickly as possible. Players may hold the towel anyway they like. The team that finishes first is the winner.
Exercise Relay
At the signal to start, the first person runs to the demonstration area and does an exercise ten times. The rest of the group must perform the same exercise with the demonstrator. When the demonstrator has done the ten exercises, he goes to the back of the line. The next person comes up to the demonstration area and the rest of the group does 10 exercises with the demonstrator. Exercises must vary. The team that finishes the series of exercises first with each of the demonstrators wins the game.
Junk Relay
Materials: assorted materials from around the room and hoops
Divide teams equally. Teams line up, take an object, and drop it in the hoop. The next player goes and takes the item out of the hoop. When all of the players have participated, the game ends.
Blow Hard Relay
Materials: Light ball for each team
Equal groups are formed. At the teacher’s signal, the first person in each team blows a lightweight ball to the line, then runs back with the ball, and hands it to the next player. The first group that finishes first — wins. This works best indoors on a carpet.
Heads-Up Relay
Material: Softball or beanbag
Have students form equal teams. Teams pair off and each group walks sideways with the object to the one end of the room and back to their team. The first team to finish is the winner. For a variation of the game, have the students walk with the object between their chest, toes, knees, ankles, etc. If the object falls, they must stop where they are and pick the item up where it fell. The first team to finish is the winner.
Animal Walk Relay
Each player on the team acts like an animal. The first person does the puppy dog walk on their hands and feet with their trunk facing forward. The second person does the crab walk on their hands and feet with their trunk facing upward and feet leading. The third person does the frog walk by leaping forward with their hands together and then feet together. The fourth player does the seal walk by using only his hands and dragging his feet. The fifth player does the bear walk by moving forward with the right hand and foot and then the left side. The group that finishes the relay first is the winner.
Traveling Tasks Relay
Materials: Three hula-hoops, one beanbag, one jump rope, and one basketball for each team
On the starting signal, the first player on the team runs to the first hoop and picks up the beanbag, placing it on their head. They walk to the next hoop without letting it fall off their head. At the second hoop, they pick up the jump rope; at the third hoop, they pick up the ball. Then, the player goes to the midline and turns around. As the player goes back to the start, they carefully put each of the objects inside the hoop. The first team to do each of the tasks and leave their area neat wins. If you are looking for fun with your students, try relays because they rule!
