Criss Cross

1. In advance, assess your group’s physical abilities and spotting skills as required for this exercise.
2. Divide into teams of 3 people with one (traversing) participant and a minimum of 2 spotters taking turns.
3. Objective: Challenge each individual to traverse as far along the foot cables as possible starting from the widest point.
4. A traversing participant must have at least two spotters, one on each side of the cable and positioned a half-step back from the side of the participant.
5. As in all traversing elements, spotters will move with the participant.
6. When a participant steps off or falls from the cable, invite them to have another attempt or swap with another person.
7. Allow as many attempts as possible within your allotted time frame.
8. Process your group’s experience at the conclusion of the task.

• Inspect the area for unsafe ground cover and other obstructions.
• Inspect and confirm the integrity of the cables.
• Plan an appropriate sequence of lead-up activities to prepare your group (physically, emotionally & mentally) for success.
• Present the problem clearly, review recommended spotting guidelines and answer questions before the first individual makes their attempt.

• Be an active member of the group.
• The traversing participant will only step onto the foot cable after all safety and check-in protocols have been performed.
• Recognise that when a fall occurs, they usually happen quickly and may occur in any direction.
• When a fall is imminent, the participant agrees that they will step off the cable.
• When a falls occurs, the spotters agree to move in to support the participant and prevent them from landing on the ground.
• Spotters will move to keep pace with the traversing participant at all times.
• Spotters will provide sufficient space between their spotting stance and the participant to allow room for movement.

The foot cables should be strung no higher than approx 45cm (18″) above the ground so as to prevent harm on the occasion the participant falls and straddles a cable.

The point at which the cables cross is called the crux. This is clearly the most difficult part of the traverse because for a short distance it is like balancing on a single line of cable.

Urge your group to resist the temptation to offer or seek physical support from the spotters. When a fall occurs, simply encourage participants to make another attempt.

This activity perfectly reflects the continuum of empowerment. Spotters often feel compelled to offer a hand or a shoulder to prevent a fall from occurring (disempowering the participant.) Equally, the hand or shoulder of a spotter is a very attractive option for the traversing participant when they are feeling unsure. Ideally, the participant should feel empowered to engage in an attempt that would not be possible without the safety net of their spotters. To this end, spotters should never stand too far back from the participant to be ineffective. It’s a fine balance and the more practice one makes, the better judgements are exercised.

This element can be integrated into a section of the Mohawk Ironworkers Walk.

You could integrate Criss Cross as part of a well-designed SEL program to develop your group’s ability to manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviours effectively in challenging situations to achieve goals.

Specifically, this activity offers ample opportunities to explore and practice the following social & interpersonal skills:

Self-Awareness

• Identifying Emotions
• Linking Feelings, Values & Thoughts
• Identifying Personal, Cultural & Linguistic Assets
• Recognising Strengths, Prejudices & Biases
• Demonstrating Self-Confidence, Honesty & Integrity
• Experiencing Self-Efficacy
• Having A Growth Mindset

Self-Management

• Controlling One’s Emotions
• Identifying & Managing Stress
• Demonstrating Self-Discipline & Self-Motivation
• Setting Personal & Group Goals

Relationship Skills

• Communicate & Listen Effectively
• Seeking and/or Offering Support
• Build Positive Relationships

Responsible Decision-Making

• Demonstrating Curiosity & Open-Mindedness
• Making Reasoned Judgements
• Anticipating & Evaluating the Consequences of One’s Actions
• Promoting Personal & Collective Well-Being

You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.

Behavioural Norms

As an introductory group initiative, the ability of your group to look after itself will open a window into the level of safety consciousness group members have for one another. For example, did the group conform to the stated safety guidelines such as completing all safety and spotting protocols before each group member stepped up onto the element?

Issues of frustration, resilience and conflict resolution may also be pertinent to your group. To this end, consider framing this activity as an opportunity for your group to practice culturally acceptable full value norms, or leverage the activity as a concrete experience to build awareness of how to establish and maintain positive relationships.

In addition to those described in the Reflection Tips tab, you may also want to invite your group to reflect on the following questions:

• How connected was the group with an active participant? What is your evidence?
• In what ways were empathy and compassion exhibited during the activity?
• Were all of the decisions the group made responsibly?
• How well did the group commit to its full value agreement?

• Paired Criss Cross: Invite two people starting from opposite ends to traverse the cables at the same time. Ideally, challenge the pair to pass each other where the cables intersect. In this case, you will need twice as many spotters.
• Group Criss Cross: Starting from one end, challenge your group to traverse the length of the cables together, offering physical support along the way.
• Blind Criss Cross: Perform any variation without vision.

While standing on a taut foot cable is never a picture of balance, it would seem a lot more possible if there were two cables to stand on, one for each foot. But what if these two cables got closer and closer together and eventually crossed…

I often think of this next challenge as reflecting the start of a new relationship. You know what it’s like, those first few days of having a new boyfriend or girlfriend, it’s an exciting, giddy time. You feel good and everyone is happy. But then as the relationship develops, things get a little more challenging. You have to work harder to make things right and sometimes you misstep. Sound familiar? We’ll take a closer look at relationships shortly, but first, let’s play…

Coupled with one or more reflection strategies, here are some sample questions you could use to process your group’s experience after undertaking this fun challenge course activity:

• As the traversing participant, what did you immediately notice or think as soon as you stepped up on the cables?
• What did you observe as you progressed further along the cable?
• Did the presence of your spotters make a difference to your efforts?
• What point in the activity would you describe as the crux?
• As spotters, did you notice any interesting patterns of behaviour?
• Describe what happened when you had to support a fall. How did you feel?
• Did you feel you were effective as a spotter? Why or why not?
• What does this exercise say about relationships?
• Can you think of another moment in your life when you were placed delicately on the crux of an experience?