Caterpillar Races

Caterpillar races are inclusive, cooperative activities that add the thrill of competition and can be used for large groups indoors or outside. Minimal equipment is needed while maximizing participation.  video - Caterpillar relays - compact formation 10-27-23  ShapeFlorida.org

3 to 6 is a management technique that gets large groups quickly organized, so activities can start right away. Instruct everyone to move the baseline of the gym where they line up, single file in groups of three.  Once the lines are established, instruct the lines to merge into groups of six. “Evens” merge right to join the “Odds” to make lines of 6.

Using the natural setting of a secondary PE facility, the basketball court baselines and the four lines of the volleyball court provide well spaced, visual landmarks for caterpillar races.

Compact Relays                                Expanded Relays        

Underhand toss                                Expand and stay

Bounce pass                                        Expand and Go Long!

Chest pass                                        Expand and return home

Underhand forehand serve

Over head high-five serve

Soccer throw-in

Ball on the ground                                                 Facing sideways

Two hand forward push                                         Fish toss

Two hand between the legs push                                bounce pass

Turn to the side - right hand push                                wrap around the body

Turn to the side - left hand push                                

                                                                Through the legs

                                                                Long snapping

Balance ball on hand                                                partner directed pass through

Dominate hand throw

Non-dominant hand throw

One hand tap pass/ air dribbling R/L

Alternatives to static position passing - having participants shifting spots in one direction:Continuous relays, Slalom style, Add equipment to position spots: hoops, jump ropes, etc. They can also be done in zig-zag patterns.

Once the ball gets to the last person in the relay, this person holds the ball overhead.  The rest of the group yells out the color of the ball. This technique is referred to as “Color Call”

This makes it easier for everyone in earshot to determine which team finished first - the winning team.  

* If you are observing these activities, please consider taking pictures and short video clips, uploading them to a google drive and sharing them with: JohnJonesPEteacher@gmail.com