Speed Up Slow Down

Learning Outcomes

Develops and refines various locomotor skills (running, walking, skipping, hopping, jumping).
Improves reaction time and listening skills.
Enhances coordination and body control.
Promotes teamwork and communication (optional).

Description Of Activity

This fun and engaging activity encourages students to move at different speeds while practicing various locomotor skills based on verbal cues. It incorporates a variety of movements, promoting agility, coordination, and quick thinking.

Warm-Up (5 minutes): 
Begin with simple exercises like jumping jacks, high knees, arm circles, and leg swings to prepare students for movement.

Instruction (5 minutes):
Explain the rules of the game: students will move around the space at different speeds while practicing various locomotor skills based on your verbal instructions.
Introduce the commands:
"Speed Up (Run)!": Students run or move as fast as they can safely.
"Slow Down (Walk)!": Students walk slowly.
"Skip!": Students transition into skipping as their movement mode.
"Hop!": Students hop on one or two feet, depending on the desired difficulty.
"Jump!": Students perform jumps or jumping jacks.

Activity Time (15-20 minutes):
Spread Out: Instruct students to spread out comfortably within the designated space, ensuring enough room for everyone to move freely.
Begin the Game: Call out the various locomotor skill commands ("Speed Up!", "Slow Down!", "Skip!", "Hop!", "Jump!") randomly, varying the pace between calls to keep students engaged.
Responding to Commands: Students must respond to each command by transitioning to the specified locomotor skill:
"Speed Up (Run)!": Students accelerate to their fastest comfortable running speed.
"Slow Down (Walk)!": Students gradually slow down to a walking pace.
"Skip!": Students begin skipping rhythmically.
"Hop!": Students hop on one or two feet as instructed.
"Jump!": Students perform jumps or jumping jacks.
Safety First: Throughout the game, emphasize the importance of safety. Students should avoid sudden stops, sharp turns, or reckless movements that could lead to collisions.
Optional - Teamwork Variation (for older students): Divide the class into teams and award points for each team member who correctly performs the specified locomotor skill based on the instructor's call. Students who make mistakes don't score a point for that round. This variation promotes teamwork and adds a competitive element.

Cool-Down (5 minutes):
Bring Students Together: Gather everyone back together and lead them through gentle stretches like arm raises, leg swings, and torso twists to cool down after the activity.

Additional Tips:
Play upbeat music in the background to create a fun and energetic atmosphere (optional).
Allow students to suggest locomotor skills to be incorporated into the game (optional). This can make the activity more engaging and cater to their interests.
This activity can be adapted to different age groups and fitness levels by adjusting the complexity of the locomotor skills and the intensity of the activity.

Variations

For younger students, simplify the commands by focusing on a few basic locomotor skills (e.g., "Speed Up!", "Slow Down!", "Skip!"). Introduce additional skills gradually as they become more comfortable.
For older students, increase the difficulty by introducing more complex locomotor skill combinations. For example, call out sequences like "Hop! Jump! Slow Down!" Students must quickly switch between skills based on the sequence.
You can incorporate a relay race variation where teams compete by performing designated locomotor skills for a set distance.

Coaching Tips

Start with clear and consistent calls of the locomotor skill commands.
Emphasize proper form and technique for each locomotor skill (running, walking, skipping, hopping, jumping).
Offer modifications for students who may struggle with specific skills. For example, students who find skipping difficult can perform a high-knee walk instead.
Vary the pace of your calls to keep students engaged and challenge their reaction time.
Offer positive reinforcement and celebrate their responsiveness and effort.
 

Equipment/Material Required

Open space large enough for students to move comfortably.