[Sports Day] What Is a Flysheet Relay? Tips and What to Prepare

Last updated:2025/5/8

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

In this article, we’ll introduce tips for an event called the “Fly Sheet Relay” and what you’ll need to prepare—perfect for anyone looking to add a new activity to their sports day.

The basic rule is simple: in teams of four, each person holds one corner of a large sheet with a ball or similar object on top, and you work together to carry it to the goal.

You’ll find the ABCs of the Fly Sheet Relay here, including what to focus on to do it well and what equipment is required.

Use it as a reference and bring a fresh breeze to your sports day!

What is a flysheet relay? (1–10)

A sport where teamwork is put to the test

As I mentioned earlier, the basic rule of the fly-sheet relay is that teams of four hold a sheet carrying a ball or similar object and run toward their teammate acting as the goal.

They dash in step while keeping their balance so they don’t drop what’s on the sheet.

Once they reach the goal, they immediately hand off the sheet.

It’s a sport that tests how well you get along and synchronize with others—in other words, your teamwork!

Araki Jakkan

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Good things about the flysheet relay (1–10)

Bonds that blossom through collaboration with companions

In a flysheet relay, four people act as one team, so syncing up with your teammates is crucial.

As you watch each other’s movements and call out to one another, your communication skills naturally grow.

A sports day is, after all, an event where everyone unites to aim for victory together, so what we really want children to experience is the joy of working toward a goal with someone else.

To achieve that, the flysheet relay is highly recommended.

Araki Jakkan

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Tips for the flysheet relay (1–10)

Do not break the formation.

Now let’s look at some tips for the flysheet relay.

First, the four runners need to move in sync.

Picture two in front and two in back.

You can imagine what happens if the person next to you runs too far ahead or too slowly—the sheet loses balance and you end up dropping things.

It’s best to keep a steady pace like in a three-legged race and use vocal cues to set the rhythm.

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2. The person in the back maintains balance.

The tightness of the sheet is crucial for keeping the load stable.

The person holding the back should be able to check it, so watch how the item moves and call out to the person in front, like “Slow down!” Adjust as needed by deliberately letting the sheet slacken to draw the item toward the center, while observing the situation.

Also make sure to check the height of the handles.

Just be careful not to lose your stride by focusing only on that!

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3. How to navigate the turnaround point

In a flysheet relay, the rule is to run around the pylon at the turnaround point and head to the next pair.

Therefore, the key to winning is how little you can slow down when rounding that pylon.

The crucial role is the front runner who is closest to the pylon.

As that person and the pylon become the pivot around which the entire flysheet rotates, keep an eye on your teammates’ movements and maintain balance by pulling from the center.

Araki Jakkan

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