Gallop

Running Unit | Level 5

TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to gallop. 

IMPORTANCE
Galloping is important because it is the first step to learning how to skip.

When galloping, it is important to:

Practice 1: Line up on the baseline shoulder-to shoulder and step slightly forward with your right foot.  When I say, “GO!” practice this technique to the midline and return, leading with the left leg.
Practice 2: When I say, “GO!” do the same movement but a little faster.

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Mr. Horse. In this game, you are a group of very polite students that do not know what the time is. Your goal is to gallop as close as you can to find out what time it is from Mr. Horse (the teacher) and gallop away without getting tagged.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Before the game begins, line up on the baseline shoulder-to-shoulder.
• Mr. Horse will stand at the opposite end of the field with his/her back turned.
• As a class you will shout out, “What time is it Mr. Horse?”
• Mr. Horse will respond with the time (ex: “It’s 3 o’clock or it’s 7 o’clock”) or “It’s feeding time!”
• If Mr. Horse responds with the time, you must take that many gallops towards Mr. Horse.
• If Mr. Horse responds with, “It’s feeding time!” you must turn and gallop back to the baseline without getting tagged.

TEACHING TIPS

• Approach: Remind students to be honest and only gallop as many times as Mr. Horse says.
• Approach: Consider allowing the students to make it back to the baseline without being tagged for the first few rounds.
• Discussion: Ask students to share what was easy or hard about galloping towards Mr. Horse?

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Wild Roundup. In this game, you are wild horses running free across the prairie (field).  The rancher (tagger) wants to round you up into the corral (end zone). Your goal is to gallop away to avoid being caught.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Before the game begins, the wild horses must line up on the baseline shoulder-to-shoulder.
• When I say, “GO!” the wild horses must gallop away from the ranchers (taggers must gallop too).
• If you are tagged, move without galloping or go out-of-bounds, you must go into the corral.
• You can be freed from the corral if another wild horse comes and gives you a high-five.
• You can only free one captured horse at a time.
• The rancher must use a two-finger butterfly tag.
• The rancher cannot enter the corral.
• We will begin a new game after 2-3 minutes or when all the wild horses are in the corral.

TEACHING TIPS

• Safety: Runners should be mindful of using the whole space without bumping into one another.
• Approach: Switch taggers every 2-3 minutes to avoid frustration and to give everyone a chance to be the rancher.
• Discussion: Ask students to share examples of who they saw taking big steps with their front foot.

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Chariots of Fire. In this game, there are knights that are riding through the forest on their chariots looking for the silver coins (fuzzy balls). Your goal is to is gallop with you partner and recover as many silver coins as possible.

INSTRUCTIONS

• I will divide you into teams of two. Each pair will begin in the kingdom (end zone).
• I will select one of you to be the horse and the other to be the knight.
• The horse will put the center of the reins (jump rope) around their waist. Their job is to pull the chariot while galloping.
• The knight will hold on to the reins, at the handles, and be responsible for collecting the silver coins.
• When I say, “GO!” the knights and their horses will travel across the forest to retrieve silver coins to bring back to their kingdom.
• Knights can only grab one silver coin at a time. Horses cannot pick up coins.
• At the beginning of each round, switch roles with your partner.

TEACHING TIPS

• Safety: Students should be careful not to pull on the jump ropes or they may injure their partner.
• Approach: Try switching the teams up as much as possible so different students work together.
• Discussion: Ask students to share who they saw doing a good job at galloping as a horse in this game.