Cooperative Balances

Learning Outcomes

Static balance, counterbalance, body and space awareness, problem-solving, and relationships (with others).

Description Of Activity

With a partner, explore how many ways you can balance. Repeat with only one base of support for each partner. Repeat one more time, this time without using your foot as a base of support (e.g. using back or hands). Can you balance with your partner on a line, bench/box top, or crash pad only? 

• two feet on the ground
• two hands and one foot
• one foot and two knees
• one back and one foot

With your partner, can you be the shape of? 

• an apple tree
• a yacht
• a letter of the alphabet try A, D, G, J, P, U or a number

Can you perform the dead bug carry? One partner kneels on all fours and the other lies on their back on top. The person underneath then moves around. Create a sequence of balances, moving smoothly from one balance to another. In groups of 3 or 5, create a pyramid

Can you see?

• counterbalance
• the wide base of support
• slow control when engaging and disengaging
• pairs matched for height and weight

You could ask

What do you need to do to balance with your partner safely and under control? How can you and your partner counterbalance?

Variations

Vary equipment: Balance in pairs using a ball or rope. Mirror image balances: In pairs, each partner mirrors the other shape. COOL DOWN/ CLOSURE Review Skill/Activity, stretching, and questions.

Equipment/Material Required

Set-up

Benches, box tops, mats, and balls. Children are in pairs of approximately the same height and size. Each pair has a mat or a denied area to work in.