Purpose
Harnesses momentum on a smooth floor so a body travels by gliding rather than stepping — the signature pleasure of a hardwood or marley surface. Trains sending, receiving, and redirecting travelling weight.
Setup
A gliding surface (hardwood/marley), socks or smooth soles. Long clear runway. Warm, experienced pairs. (This game does not work on foam — see Chapter 6.)
Play
- "One of you sinks low and stable; the other builds a little momentum and glides along the floor, supported at the point of contact."
- "Send and receive: give a partner a gentle glide across the floor, then catch and redirect it back."
- "Explore gliding on hips, backs, sides — let the floor carry the weight while you steer."
Cues
"Let the floor do the carrying." · "Send, don't shove." · "Steer the glide; don't stop it."
Variations
- Easier: short, slow glides close to the ground.
- Harder: longer glides, standing entries, glide-to-roll finishes.
Debrief
"How is moving by momentum different from moving by muscle? What did the floor make possible?"
Watch For
Requires a slippery floor and a clear runway — never on foam, never toward walls. Watch fingers/toes catching the floor; build speed gradually; keep an abort-to-stillness always available.