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Opening Warm-Ups

Pup Stretch & Move

Ages 3–74–6 minutes
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At a glance

Gentle mobility and preparation to play

Learning
Flowing mobility, body awareness and getting bodies ready to play.
Equipment
No kit needed
Best group
Whole class around the coach
Space / set up
Loose ring around the coach, room to reach.
Duration
4–6 minutes
Skills
Movement, Jumping & landing

Setup

Coaching diagram

  • Coach (and optional second adult)
  • Child in their own space
  • Optional area cone
  • Children spread in a loose ring around the coach.
  • Everyone needs room to reach up, out and down without touching.

How to play

Run the activity

  1. 1Keep it flowing — this is not a long static stretch session.
  2. 2Reach high, reach low, arm circles, ankle movements.
  3. 3Squat and stand, gentle lunges, side reaches.
  4. 4Balance on one foot, then small jumps with a controlled landing.
  5. 5Keep children moving between every movement.

Coach language

Say it like this

  • “Move smoothly.”
  • “Strong balance.”
  • “Soft landing.”

Stage

Early Years / KS1

This activity is suitable for ages 3–7. Choose a stage to see the coaching guidance for that group.

Use imaginative language — “Reach up like a tall Pup!”

Scale it

30 pups

  • Whole group in a ring around the coach.
  • Coach turns to face each side in turn.

Safety

Stay safe and strong

  • No forced stretching.
  • Controlled range of movement only.

Adapt it

Make it easier / Level it up

Make it easier: Reduce the range of motion.

Level it up: Add balance holds or controlled movement combinations.

Variations

More variations

  • Tall Pup / small Pup

    Alternate big reaches and low squats.

  • Balance hold

    Three-second balance between movements.

PAWS connection

PAWS / READY

SPrimary PAWS valueStay Safe & Strong

S: move smoothly, land softly and never force a stretch