Team Tactix Activity Cards
PE Cooperative Games • Grades 3–5
TEAM TACTIX: STATION CHALLENGES
Teacher Master Guide
SHAPE Standards
Standard 4: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.
Squad Sizing
4–6 Students per station. Allows every child an active speaking & tactical role.
Station Timing
7–9 Minutes per challenge + 1 min squad debrief + 60s rotation transition.
Gymnasium Station Grid Setup
Station 1 Lava River Crossing Poly spots & jump ropes
Station 2 Pipeline Express Half-noodles & balls
Station 3 Blind Navigator Maze Cones & blindfolds
Station 4 Helium Hoop Lowering Hula hoops & focus
Station 5 Tarp Flip-Over Puzzle Gym mats / tarps
Station 6 Minefield Rescue Beanbags & rope loops
Rotating Squad Roles (Switch Each Station)
🧭 Tactician
Reads card instructions & leads the 60s huddle.
📣 Motivator
Encourages positive talk and resets team energy.
🛡️ Safety Scout
Checks boundary zones and fair physical spacing.
💬 Debrief Captain
Asks the reflection prompt before station whistle.
Whole-Class Wrap-Up Prompts (Debrief Circle)
1. Strategy Shift: "What plan failed first, and how did your group adjust without arguing?"
2. Active Listening: "When multiple people shouted ideas at once, how did you choose what to try?"
Cut out following cards along dotted guides. Laminate for gym floor durability. Teacher Guide • Page 1 of 4
STATION 1
Lava River Crossing
Cooperation & Planning
Equipment4 Poly Spots, 2 Ropes
Distance25-Foot River Span
Squad GoalGet ALL Across Safely
The Mission & Rules
- The gym floor between the two ropes is boiling lava!
- Stepping stones (poly spots) sink if nobody is touching them.
- Pass stones forward hand-to-hand to create a stepping path.
- If any player touches the floor, the whole team resets to start!
Level Up Challenges
Level 1: Regular crossing with full squad communication.
Level 2 (Silent Mode): No talking allowed—use gestures only!
Level 3 (One-Hand): Carry a medicine ball cargo across the river.
Debrief Question: How did you pass stepping stones forward without leaving anyone behind?
Station Card 1
Cut Line
STATION 2
Pipeline Express
Continuous Motion & Rhythm
Equipment1 Half-Noodle / Player, 1 Ball
CourseSlalom around 4 cones
Drop BucketDeposit ball in bin
The Mission & Rules
- Each player holds one half-cut pool noodle chute.
- Roll a tennis ball down your chute to the next teammate.
- Once the ball leaves your noodle, sprint to the end of the line!
- No running while touching the ball. Keep the ball rolling!
Level Up Challenges
Level 1: Deliver 1 tennis ball to the finish bucket.
Level 2 (Speed Run): Timed 60-second multi-ball transport.
Level 3 (Obstacle Turn): Navigate a sharp 90-degree corner.
Debrief Question: Why is sprinting to the front as soon as the ball leaves essential?
Station Card 2
STATION 3
Blind Maze Navigator
Trust & Precise Verbal Cues
Equipment1 Blindfold, 10 Cones / Pins
ObstaclesCones & foam noodles
Squad GoalGuide all walkers through
The Mission & Rules
- 1 student wears the blindfold (the Explorer).
- Remaining squad members act as the Mission Control voice.
- Only 1 squad member can give verbal commands at a time!
- Guides must stay outside the maze boundaries at all times.
Level Up Challenges
Level 1: Direct commands allowed ("Take 3 steps forward").
Level 2 (Single-Word): Only "Forward", "Left", "Right", "Halt".
Level 3 (Sound Cues): Claps only (1 clap = forward, 2 = stop).
Debrief Question: What happened when more than one person gave directions at the same time?
Station Card 3
Cut Line
STATION 4
Helium Hoop Lowering
Patience & Synchronized Movement
Equipment1 Lightweight Hula Hoop
Finger ContactIndex fingers ONLY
TargetLower from chest to ground
The Mission & Rules
- Stand in a circle; place the hoop on everyone's index fingers.
- Every player's finger MUST stay in constant contact with hoop.
- No hooking fingers, thumbs, or grabbing the plastic!
- If anyone's finger loses contact, restart from chest height!
Level Up Challenges
Level 1: Lower hoop from chest to floor in 30 seconds.
Level 2 (Elevator): Lower to floor, then raise back to shoulders.
Level 3 (Count Cadence): Squad must count aloud backwards from 20.
Debrief Question: Why did the hoop naturally float upward when people panicked?
Station Card 4
STATION 5
Tarp Flip Puzzle
Spatial Logic & Collective Balance
Equipment1 Large Tarp or Folding Mat
FootingAll feet must stay on tarp
ObjectiveFlip tarp completely over
The Mission & Rules
- The entire squad begins standing on the unfolded tarp.
- Work together to flip the tarp upside down without stepping off.
- No touching the gym floor with feet, hands, or knees!
- If any part of a student touches the floor, restart from flat.
Level Up Challenges
Level 1: Standard full-size tarp (6x8 ft).
Level 2 (Compact Fold): Fold tarp in half before attempting flip.
Level 3 (Silent Balance): Complete the entire flip with zero speaking.
Debrief Question: How did you create space for teammates while working on a small surface?
Station Card 5
Cut Line
STATION 6
Minefield Rescue Relay
Role Delegation & Tool Problem Solving
Equipment4 Beanbags, 2 Ropes, 1 Hoop
Hazard Zone15x15 ft taped minefield
Rescue GoalRetrieve 4 supplies safely
The Mission & Rules
- Valuable supply capsules (beanbags) are stranded in hazard grid.
- No human foot may cross the outer boundary tape.
- Squad must use rope lasso or hoop tool to pull capsules home!
- Every squad member must hold a portion of the rescue line.
Level Up Challenges
Level 1: Retrieve all 4 beanbags in under 3 minutes.
Level 2 (Single Tool): Use only 1 jump rope tied into a knot.
Level 3 (Color Order): Must retrieve Red, Blue, Green, Yellow in order.
Debrief Question: How did assigning specific jobs (tension holder, puller, spotter) help your squad?
Station Card 6
