Movement skills/concepts

Chasing, dodging, change of direction and speed, moving in general space, and relationships (with others).

Set-up

• Bases e.g. softball bases or color discs.
• Large, defined grass or hard area with a number of bases/discs scattered on the ground.
• Children in pairs, one the leader and the other the shadow, are spread out in the area.

Activity

The shadow follows the leader and imitates all their movements, keeping as close to the leader as possible. The leader challenges their shadow by trying to get away from them. Change roles and repeat.

Start off in the same way again but, on a given signal (e.g. whistle), the leader tries to get to one of the bases/discs before their shadow tags them. Change roles and repeat, but this time with fewer bases/discs spread out across the area.

Can you see …?

• quick moves
• plant and go
• faking
• shadow watching the leader’s hips

Variations

Vary locomotor skill: Start with walking, then move on to skipping, galloping, jogging, hopping, and running.

Vary set-up: Increase or decrease the area size or the number of bases.

Tandem tag: Partners link arms and play the game with another pair. One pair is the leader and the other pair is the shadow.