Crocodile Race

Name and Purpose

Crocodile Race builds teamwork, coordination, and shared movement through a fun racing challenge.
Players practise listening to their teammates, moving together, and adapting their speed to the slowest member.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-14 | 12-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Large open flat outdoor space or gym; minimum 15m run length

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Mark a start line and a turn-around cone 10-15 metres away for each team lane.
Form teams of 4-8. Line up in single file; each player places hands on the shoulders of the person in front.
On the signal, teams crouch slightly and waddle to their cone and back without breaking the chain.
If the chain breaks, stop and reconnect before moving again.
First team back across the start line with an unbroken chain celebrates together.

Setup and Boundaries

How to Play

Divide into teams of 4-8. Each team lines up at the start line in single file.
Each player places hands on the shoulders of the person in front. The front player is the Head.
On the leader’s signal, each team waddles (crouching slightly) to their turn-around cone and back.
If the chain breaks at any point, the whole team stops, reconnects, and then continues.
First team to cross the start line with a fully connected chain wins the round.
Rotate the Head position between rounds so everyone leads.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Run/waddle in the chain at full effort.
S (Support): Take a middle position; focus on keeping the chain steady and calling out encouragement.
Q (Quiet): Walk-pace version; join a team running at a lower intensity.
O (Observer): Help staff watch for chain breaks and call them out; be a round timer.

Inclusion Adaptations

Teams can designate a “walking pace” crocodile lane for players who need lower intensity. This team competes on its own timing, not against running teams.
Players who cannot crouch: they stand upright in the chain and place hands on shoulders; the rest of the team adjusts to a comfortable shared posture.

Stewardship Moment

Collect all cones after play.
Reflection: “How did the group learn to move at the same speed? Where does that skill show up outside of a game?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves holding the shoulders of the person in front of you. For those not comfortable with shoulder contact, holding the back of the shirt or a short rope loop between players is another option.”
Mid-game check: After the first race, pause. “How did that feel? Thumbs up, sideways, or down.”
Opt-out/re-entry: Step out of the line at any time. Re-enter at the back of the chain before the next round starts.

Risks and Mitigation

Chain whip effect on turns: slow down before the cone; the Head calls “turning” before changing direction.
Falls from crouching on uneven ground: walk the course first; reduce crouch depth for younger groups.
Collision between lanes: keep lanes at least 2 metres apart; staff positioned at the far end monitor traffic.
Shoulder strain from heavy grip: remind players that hands rest on shoulders, not grip them.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Mirror Crouch”: pairs face each other and mirror a crouch-and-rise together 5 times.
“Slow-Mo Waddle”: the whole group walks in a single line at very slow pace to practise the formation.

Debrief Questions

What? “What made the chain break? What kept it together?”
So What? “What did you notice about the difference between a fast team and an in-sync team?”
Now What? “When do you need to slow down to stay connected with the people around you?”

Cleanup and Reset