Speed Stack Olympics

Equipment:
Each stacker needs a set of cups (12), 2 or 3 cones, signs or cone sleeves for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place (Gold, Silver, & Bronze)

Set-up:
Divide your teaching space into 3 equal sections. Those 3 sections should represent the gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Procedure:
Have students find a partner to start. If you have odd numbers, groups of 3 is fine for this event. All students should start in the middle section (Silver Medal). For a designated time, students will compete in different Speed Stack challenges. The small group of 2 or 3 will decide what that challenge might be. For example, groups may choose from 3-3-3, 6-6, 1-10-1, or the whole cycle. After the first match, the winner moves up to Gold and the loser moves down to Bronze. As soon as they get to that section they find a new partner to race. If you are in the Gold round and win you stay and play someone new. If you are in the Bronze medal round and lose, find someone to play right away to see if you can bump yourself up to a higher medal. I also tell those students that are in the Gold medal round to play fast because they are trying to have the least amount of people at Gold. You can decide if you'd like to give a 1 minute warning to the students before stopping the competition. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't because you don't want them to stop playing if they are in Gold.

VARIATIONS:
You can set it up so it is best out of 3 before students move. If you have stack mats you could use those as well.