Criss Cross

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Practice physical spotting techniques and active peer support during a balance traverse.

Use it when: On a low ropes course when participants have learned foundational spotting skills and need practical balance challenges.

Skip it when: Skip when low ropes course elements are unavailable, when ground conditions are slick or uneven, or when participants cannot safely perform physical spotting.

Group arrangement: Trios with one traverser and two spotters, rotating roles at the same station or across multiple stations

Timing: UWT suggested plan fitting the 5 to 15 minute source band

Materials and tools

• Pre-installed low ropes course Criss Cross element with intersecting foot cables and appropriate fall zone surfacing
• Spotting checklist or briefing prompt sheet for the facilitator
• Flat athletic footwear for all participants

Before participants arrive

1. Inspect the low ropes course cables, anchors, hardware, and safety landing zone.
2. Clear sticks, rocks, or tripping hazards from the spotter pathways on both sides of the cables.

Say this to open

Today we are on the Criss Cross element. In trios, one person walks across the intersecting cables starting from the widest point, while two spotters walk on either side to maintain safety. Spotters stay half a step behind the traverser with hands up and ready. Traversers, step off safely whenever you feel off-balance.

How to run it

1. Review spotting and assign trios 3 minutes

   Demonstrate the spotter stance: feet wide, knees bent, hands chest-high with open palms and spoons ready. Emphasize that spotters cushion and catch the torso, not wrists or ankles. Divide participants into trios of similar heights or pairing preferences. Remind everyone that any participant may opt out of traversing and act as a dedicated ground observer or spotter.

2. First traversing rotations 5 minutes

   The first traverser in each trio mounts the cables at the widest point. Two spotters position themselves, one on each side of the cable, staying a half-step behind the traverser's shoulders. The traverser attempts to balance along the cables toward the center intersection. Spotters track every foot movement. If the traverser steps off, they may try once more or hand off to the next person.

3. Second and third rotations 4 minutes

   Rotate roles so each trio member who chooses to traverse gets a turn on the cables while the others spot. If a participant prefers not to walk the cable, another member can take a second turn while the non-traverser continues spotting or tracking safety cues.

4. Debrief team support 3 minutes

   Gather the full group near the element. Ask two focused reflection questions about non-verbal communication and the experience of supporting a partner. Take two or three brief responses from the group before wrapping up.

Debrief questions

• Traversers, what specific movement or presence from your spotters helped you feel secure on the cables?
• Spotters, how did you adjust your own pace and posture to match the sudden shifts of the traverser?

Finished output: Every participating trio completes active spotting and balance attempts across the element.

Remote

This activity requires a certified physical ropes course installation and physical spotting. It cannot be conducted remotely. For a remote collaboration activity using similar roles of doer and observer, run a verbal barrier drawing exercise instead.

Hybrid

Hybrid delivery is not possible because all participants must be physically present at the ropes course element to ensure participant safety and spot.

Access and participation choices

• Participants can choose to serve exclusively as ground spotters, peer timekeepers, or technique observers without mounting the cables.
• Anyone may step off the cable at any moment without penalty or explanation.

If the session gets stuck

Spotters walk too far ahead or drop their hands when the traverser stops.

Pause the attempt. Remind spotters to keep hands at chest height and stay one half-step behind the traverser's shoulders.

A traverser freezes in the middle of the cables and cannot move forward or balance.

Instruct the traverser to hold position, ask the spotters to step into direct support stance, and guide the traverser to step directly down to the ground.

Terms used here

• Spotter: A person positioned on the ground to protect a climber's head, neck, and torso from a fall.
• Traverse: Moving horizontally across a ropes course element rather than climbing vertically.