Type: Ensemble Building.
Purpose:
- Encourage comfortability among the group.
- Encourage trust.
Procedure:
- This is the first of a fall series, so it may work best to demonstrate first either with a brave student or with two teachers.
- Working in pairs, partner 1 stands with their back facing partner 2.
- Partner 1 is going to fall back (only a foot at most) into partner 2’s hands.
- Partner 1 shouldn’t take their feet off the floor, allowing themselves to rock back on their heels only, and should just relax and breathe (may close eyes if they wish).
- Partner 2 should assume a balanced stance (knees slightly bent, feet shoulder width apart and slightly staggered, hands up and ready to catch their partner).
- Work until both partners are comfortable in both roles.
- If students seem wary of safety because of weight differences, explain that they only have to fall a very short distance to their partner’s arms and that this is an exercise more of balance than of weight.
- Step in and help if you have a particularly uneven weight distribution between partners.
- You can then move the students into groups of threes. One student stand between the two “catchers” only a foot or so apart from each.
- The middle person can leave their arms down, or cross them on their chest as they gently fall forward and are gently pushed backward by the two outside students.
- Again, remind the students that their job is to create a safe environment for their team.
- Remind the “faller” to breathe and relax. Switch roles until all students have had a turn falling and catching.
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