Body Control and Balance
Primary 4 · Physical Education
Body Control and Balance
Lesson 2 of 3
20 min
Let's begin
At break, Niyonzima's class plays a game where the leader shouts orders. "Jump!" she calls, and Mugisha jumps, but she did not say the magic words. He is caught! Everyone laughs, and Mugisha laughs too.
Games like this train your brain as well as your body. Here are five games you can play at school or at home with almost no equipment.
One player is the leader. When the leader says "Mugisha says, touch your knees!", everyone does it. When the leader just says "Touch your knees!", nobody moves. If you move by mistake, sit out for one turn, then come back in.
It trains: listening and self-control.
The leader calls out a colour. Green: jog. Amber: walk. Red: freeze like a statue. Add "Roundabout!" to make everyone turn in a small circle.
It trains: fast reactions and control of your speed.
Stand facing a partner. One leads with slow movements, and the other copies exactly, like a mirror. Swap after one minute.
It trains: focus and working together. The leader must move slowly so the partner can follow.
Stand side by side with a partner. Tie your two inside ankles together gently with a soft cloth. Put your arms around each other's shoulders. Count together, "tied leg, free leg", and step at the same time. Walk first; when you are good at it, race to a line.
It trains: teamwork. If you do not talk and move together, you fall over!
Make a circle of 5 or 6 players. Keep a light ball, a balloon or a ball of rolled-up paper in the air using only your hands. Count every hit out loud together. Nobody may hit it twice in a row. If it touches the ground, start again from 0. Try to beat your group's best score.
It trains: teamwork, quick thinking and gentle control of your hands.
| Game | Thinking | Teamwork | Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mugisha says | yes | yes | |
| Traffic lights | yes | yes | |
| Mirror me | yes | yes | yes |
| Three-legged walk | yes | yes | |
| Keep it up | yes | yes | yes |
Play on soft, flat ground with space around you, and be honest: if you are caught, own up and sit out your turn with a smile.
Tip
Quick brain, then quick feet. Before you move, listen and think: "What did the leader really say? Is it my turn?" Then move.
Think about each one first, then tap Show answer to check.
The leader says "Jump!" but does not say "Mugisha says". What do you do?
Answer: Stay still. You only move when you hear "Mugisha says".
In Traffic lights, what does amber mean?
Answer: Walk.
Why should the leader in Mirror me move slowly?
Answer: So the partner can copy at the same time. Good leaders help their partners succeed.
In Keep it up, your group scores 12 hits, then 15, then 9. What is your best score?
Answer: 15.
Which game do you think trains teamwork the most? Explain why.
Answer: For example, the three-legged walk, because you must talk and step together or you both fall.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Written by Ganzaa: the story, the game instructions, the table and the practice. The games are well-known children's playground games.
Quick check
In Traffic lights, match each colour to what you do.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
