It's fun to play games and to use movement patterns on
a Beach Propeller. A circle around the outside sometimes helps.
See below for some movement patterns (like drum corp movement formations or dance choreography), and also some games.
a Beach Propeller. A circle around the outside sometimes helps.
See below for some movement patterns (like drum corp movement formations or dance choreography), and also some games.
Games
Fill the propeller with close crossings but no "near collisions" (3 or more people)
Everyone starts on the circle, moving slowly counterclockwise. Each person can enter or leave the propeller path at any time, starting at the tip of a loop and turning left on the propeller path. The goal of the game is to have as many “close crossings” as possible in the center of the propeller. If two (or three) people get too close in the middle to cross easily and safely, they have a “near collision”-- they stop and call out “collision!” and the game restarts with everyone on the circle. See this video.
Everyone starts on the circle, moving slowly counterclockwise. Each person can enter or leave the propeller path at any time, starting at the tip of a loop and turning left on the propeller path. The goal of the game is to have as many “close crossings” as possible in the center of the propeller. If two (or three) people get too close in the middle to cross easily and safely, they have a “near collision”-- they stop and call out “collision!” and the game restarts with everyone on the circle. See this video.
Three people on the propeller
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Ten people on the propeller
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The green "Tagger" is trying to catch up and "almost tag" the person ahead of them on the propeller.
Almost tag (3 or more people)
One person is the Tagger, and tries to “almost tag” someone (from behind only) on the propeller path. The game starts with everyone on the circle facing counterclockwise except the Tagger, who starts on the propeller path and must stay on the path and move only in one direction (turning left) the whole time (but at any speed). People on the circle move counterclockwise, and can enter the propeller path and exit the propeller path only at the tips of the loops. The Tagger can only “almost tag” people who are on the propeller path– the circle path is the “safe base.” When the Tagger gets within about 3-4 feet of anyone ahead of them on the propeller path, they call out “almost tag!” NOTE: The Tagger can only “almost tag” someone from behind them, not when they get near someone by crossing paths at the center of the propeller. After an “almost tag,” the game starts again with the almost tagged person as the new Tagger (only if they want that role), and with everyone else back on the safe circle. The goal is for as many people as possible to spend as much time on the propeller path as possible, avoiding near collisions, and without getting “almost tagged” by the Tagger. The Tagger can also just call out “almost tag” at any time if they get tired of being Tagger. See this video.
One person is the Tagger, and tries to “almost tag” someone (from behind only) on the propeller path. The game starts with everyone on the circle facing counterclockwise except the Tagger, who starts on the propeller path and must stay on the path and move only in one direction (turning left) the whole time (but at any speed). People on the circle move counterclockwise, and can enter the propeller path and exit the propeller path only at the tips of the loops. The Tagger can only “almost tag” people who are on the propeller path– the circle path is the “safe base.” When the Tagger gets within about 3-4 feet of anyone ahead of them on the propeller path, they call out “almost tag!” NOTE: The Tagger can only “almost tag” someone from behind them, not when they get near someone by crossing paths at the center of the propeller. After an “almost tag,” the game starts again with the almost tagged person as the new Tagger (only if they want that role), and with everyone else back on the safe circle. The goal is for as many people as possible to spend as much time on the propeller path as possible, avoiding near collisions, and without getting “almost tagged” by the Tagger. The Tagger can also just call out “almost tag” at any time if they get tired of being Tagger. See this video.
Almost tag with reversing direction (3 or more people)
Same as above except when the Tagger calls out “almost tag!” to make a new Tagger, everyone (including people on the circle) stops, then turns around to face the opposite direction. The new Tagger waits to make sure that everyone has turned around, then gives everyone a “go ahead” and starts pursuing them after a 3-second head start.
Same as above except when the Tagger calls out “almost tag!” to make a new Tagger, everyone (including people on the circle) stops, then turns around to face the opposite direction. The new Tagger waits to make sure that everyone has turned around, then gives everyone a “go ahead” and starts pursuing them after a 3-second head start.
One person swoop-loop-swooping
Swoop-loop-swoop (2 or more people)
Everyone starts spaced out on the circle, going counterclockwise. At any time, anyone can take a “swoop-loop-swoop,” entering the propeller from the tip of any loop, then exiting after one loop. (See image to the right). The goal is to have as many people swoop-loop-swooping as possible without any “near collisions.” That means being aware of where everyone is, and sensing when someone is about to end or start a swoop-loop-swoop. See this video.
Everyone starts spaced out on the circle, going counterclockwise. At any time, anyone can take a “swoop-loop-swoop,” entering the propeller from the tip of any loop, then exiting after one loop. (See image to the right). The goal is to have as many people swoop-loop-swooping as possible without any “near collisions.” That means being aware of where everyone is, and sensing when someone is about to end or start a swoop-loop-swoop. See this video.
Round Robin (4 or more people)
Start with 3 people on the propeller path (facing so as to go in the usual “turning left” direction on the path), and one or more people facing counterclockwise on the circle. Everyone moves however they like and anyone can join or leave the propeller at the tip of a loop at any time, but the goal is to have exactly 3 people on the propeller as much as possible. So if one person enters the propeller from the circle, then one person has to exit the propeller to go to the circle as soon as possible; and the opposite is also true: if one person exits the propeller, one needs to enter the propeller as soon as possible. The goal is to try to be aware of who is where, to make things go as smoothly as possible. There will be accidents and miscalculations, as well as people trying to ”sneak” on or off the propeller without being seen right away. That is all part of the fun. (If there are enough people, make it more challenging by having “exactly 4” or “exactly 5” on the propeller at all times).
Start with 3 people on the propeller path (facing so as to go in the usual “turning left” direction on the path), and one or more people facing counterclockwise on the circle. Everyone moves however they like and anyone can join or leave the propeller at the tip of a loop at any time, but the goal is to have exactly 3 people on the propeller as much as possible. So if one person enters the propeller from the circle, then one person has to exit the propeller to go to the circle as soon as possible; and the opposite is also true: if one person exits the propeller, one needs to enter the propeller as soon as possible. The goal is to try to be aware of who is where, to make things go as smoothly as possible. There will be accidents and miscalculations, as well as people trying to ”sneak” on or off the propeller without being seen right away. That is all part of the fun. (If there are enough people, make it more challenging by having “exactly 4” or “exactly 5” on the propeller at all times).
Movement Patterns
Two people greeting each other 3 times per "lap"
Greetings three times per “lap” (2 people at similar speed)
Start in stillness next to each other, facing opposite directions, one on the tip of a propeller loop, and one on the circle (circle person faces in order to go clockwise). On “go” signal, go in opposite directions at about the same speed. They adjust speed to pass by each other at the tip of every sharp propeller loop, and as they pass they say “Hi” however they decide in advance, taking into account ability and interest; for example: verbally, a smile, a secret signal, or a gentle high five. Here’s a video.
Start in stillness next to each other, facing opposite directions, one on the tip of a propeller loop, and one on the circle (circle person faces in order to go clockwise). On “go” signal, go in opposite directions at about the same speed. They adjust speed to pass by each other at the tip of every sharp propeller loop, and as they pass they say “Hi” however they decide in advance, taking into account ability and interest; for example: verbally, a smile, a secret signal, or a gentle high five. Here’s a video.
One person on the propeller, greeting different people on the circle, 3 times per "lap"
Lots of greetings (2 or more people at similar speed on circle, plus 1 more at any speed on the propeller path)
Start in stillness with all but one person spaced out on the circle (facing in order to go clockwise), and one person on a propeller tip facing the opposite direction. On “go” signal, circling people move to maintain about the same spacing on the circle, and the propeller person travels at any speed. When the propeller person happens to pass by any of the circling people as they get to any propeller tip both people say “Hi” as they pass, in any way that they decide in advance, taking into account ability and interest. For example: verbally, a smile, a secret signal, or a gentle high five. Here’s a video.
Start in stillness with all but one person spaced out on the circle (facing in order to go clockwise), and one person on a propeller tip facing the opposite direction. On “go” signal, circling people move to maintain about the same spacing on the circle, and the propeller person travels at any speed. When the propeller person happens to pass by any of the circling people as they get to any propeller tip both people say “Hi” as they pass, in any way that they decide in advance, taking into account ability and interest. For example: verbally, a smile, a secret signal, or a gentle high five. Here’s a video.
Follow the leader (2-10 people at similar speed)
As long as everyone starts on one propeller loop, there will be no intersections or collisions. Start in stillness on the same propeller loop. As long as everyone starts on one propeller loop, there will be no intersections or collisions. Start in stillness on the same propeller loop.
As long as everyone starts on one propeller loop, there will be no intersections or collisions. Start in stillness on the same propeller loop. As long as everyone starts on one propeller loop, there will be no intersections or collisions. Start in stillness on the same propeller loop.
2 people playing follow the leader
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10 people playing follow the leader
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3 people with starting positions shown so they will almost but not quite collide
Three almost colliding (3 people moving at the same speed).
Start in stillness, with one person on the tip of a propeller loop, the second person a few feet “ahead of the tip” on another loop, and the third person a few feet “behind the tip” on a third loop. On “go” signal, move at the same speed as each other, and there will be close passing but no collision in the middle. Here’s a video.
Start in stillness, with one person on the tip of a propeller loop, the second person a few feet “ahead of the tip” on another loop, and the third person a few feet “behind the tip” on a third loop. On “go” signal, move at the same speed as each other, and there will be close passing but no collision in the middle. Here’s a video.
10 people with starting positions shown so they will almost but not quite collide
Up to ten people almost colliding (up to 10 people)
Start in stillness, with up to 10 people, each located at any of the positions shown in the figure to the right. On “go” signal, move at the same speed as each other, and there will be close passing but no collision in the middle. Here’s a video.
Start in stillness, with up to 10 people, each located at any of the positions shown in the figure to the right. On “go” signal, move at the same speed as each other, and there will be close passing but no collision in the middle. Here’s a video.