Piggyback Obstacle Relay | Friends

Quick Intro

Piggyback Obstacle Relay sends a piggyback carry through a short obstacle course. The carrier walks the rider through a weave of three or four cones and steps carefully over one or two ankle-height hurdles. The run is timed, with a penalty for every knocked obstacle. Then the partners swap and the new carrier walks the return leg.

The pace is a controlled walk throughout. Jogging or running voids the run, whatever the time. The course tests balance, footwork and control under a moving load, which matters more here than speed.

It is a step on from the Piggyback Carry Time Trial, so try that straight-line carry first. Alone, the closest match is the Farmer’s Carry, a walk with weights in the hands. With a person on your back and turns and step-overs to manage, the hips and trunk work much harder to keep you steady.

What You’ll Need

Three or four training cones.
One or two mini hurdles set at ankle height, no higher.
A flat, clear, non-slip area about 15 metres long.
A timer.

Who It Suits

Pairs with a reasonable size match, where the carrier can carry the rider comfortably. If only one partner can carry, run it one way only. A size-mismatched or newer pair can use a simpler course with fewer cones and no hurdles. Matching weights for carries is covered in Lifting, Carrying and Catching a Person.

What It Works

The outer front of the thigh (quadriceps, vastus lateralis) and glutes (gluteus maximus), which carry the load with every step and step-over.
The muscle on the outside of the hip (gluteus medius), which keeps the pelvis level on turns and during the single-leg moment of each step-over.
Hip flexors (iliopsoas), which lift the knee over each hurdle.
Calves (gastrocnemius and soleus), which steady the ankle on each landing.
The muscles along the spine (erector spinae) and the deep stomach muscle (transverse abdominis), which hold the trunk upright under the rider.
Forearm flexors, holding the rider’s legs.

Setting the Course

Set three or four cones in a zigzag, about two metres apart along the course and a metre or so to each side.
Place one or two ankle-height hurdles after the cones, with several steps of space between them.
Mark a start and a turning point or finish line.

Leave plenty of room around every obstacle, so a stumble lands on open ground.

The Technique

Getting on

The rider gets on as for any piggyback: carrier bends the knees, rider steps or hops up and wraps the legs around the waist, carrier hooks the forearms under the rider’s thighs and stands. The rider holds around the shoulders or upper chest, never the neck.

The cone weave

Short steps into each turn.
Turn the whole body around the cone. Do not twist at the waist with the rider on.
Look ahead to the next cone before you reach the current one.
Keep the walking pace steady through the turns.

Stepping over a hurdle

Walk up to the hurdle and stop with both feet close to it.
Lift one knee high and step over. Place the foot down fully on the far side.
Shift your weight onto that foot, then lift the second leg over.
Pause with both feet down before walking on.

The moment on one leg is the hardest part, so keep it slow.

The rider’s job

Stay still, most of all during step-overs and turns.
Keep your weight centred behind the carrier.
Call early: “slipping” or “down”.

Getting off

At the finish or turning point, the carrier stops, bends the knees and the rider steps down one foot at a time.

How to Play

Walk the course once with no rider to learn it.
Get the rider on and settled.
Start the timer and walk the course.
Stop the timer at the finish. Add the penalty for each knocked obstacle, for example 3 seconds.
Swap roles for the return leg.

What Counts

Your time is the raw time plus obstacle penalties.
Jogging or running voids the attempt.
Dropping the rider voids the attempt.
With one pair, the time is the score to beat. Two matched pairs can compare.

Staying Safe

A reasonable size match.
Ankle-height hurdles only. A taller hurdle makes a fall with a rider far more likely.
Walking pace throughout.
Stop at once if the carrier’s lower back or knees feel unstable.
Simplify the course for a new or mismatched pair.

Common Mistakes

Rushing the step-overs. Stop, step, shift, step.
Twisting at the waist on turns. Turn the feet and the whole body.
Hurdles set too high. Ankle height only.
A rider who moves around. Stay still and centred.

Fitting It Into a Session

Use it as a skill-and-conditioning finisher for a well-matched pair, after a warm-up and a straight piggyback carry. Two or three runs each is plenty.

Piggyback Carry Time Trial is the straight-line version to try first.
Bear Hug Carry Race carries the partner in front.
Farmer’s Carry trains the loaded walk with weights.

FAQ

How high should the hurdles be?

Ankle height. Any higher and the step-over with a rider on becomes too risky.

Can we skip the hurdles?

Yes. A cone weave alone is a good course for a new or mismatched pair.

What penalty should we use for a knocked obstacle?

Around 3 seconds for a cone and 5 for a hurdle works for most pairs. The penalty should be big enough that walking cleanly beats rushing.

Who goes first?

Either. Both carry if the weights allow it, one leg each.