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Associated sport: Sailing
Indoor-friendly: Yes
Pool-friendly: No

Game description

Using the rules of ‘Simon Says’, the coach (captain) calls out commands for players to perform various actions to help them learn some fundamental terms of sailing and to help them work cooperatively in a team.

What you need (setting up)

• 4 x cones or markers to define the playing area.
• 4 x cones or markers placed in the centre of each line with a compass point on each - North, South, East, West. (The wind direction blows from each compass point).
• 2 x foam pool noodles, hockey sticks or rolled up newspapers per pair.  

What to do

• In pairs players hold items to form a boat. They find an uncrowded space in the playing area and face the captain who is standing at one compass point.
• On commands from the captain players complete associated actions. “Captain says.....”
• • go to starboard (run right)
  • go to port (run left)
  • tack (zig- zag to the line the captain or cone is on using 3-4 steps each direction)
  • jibe (turn and run in an arc away from the captain or cone)
  • water on the bow (front player bobs down and back up)
  • water on the stern (back player bobs down and back up)
  • watch out for the boom (both players bob to the ground).
• After each call of ‘Watch out for the boom!’, ask the players to prepare to sail to a particular compass point.
• Players turn their boats to sail to the next compass point.
• Captain moves to the next compass point ready for the next series of calls.

Change it

• Use all or a selection of calls.
• Perform the activity as singles.
• Vary the speed of the calls.

Safety

• Ensure the playing area is flat and clear of any obstructions.
• Ensure there is sufficient space between groups and players.
• Boats must not touch.

Ask the players

• Would it be easier or harder to sail with the wind blowing onto the stern of the boat?