Frenzy

What: A relatively quick initiative that highlights the value of cooperation rather than competition.
Group Size: From 8 - 20.
Space Required: a large, relatively flat open space at least 30 feet square. Works indoors or out.
Time Required: 20 minutes.
Props Required: 5 Hula Hoops and 60-70 tennis balls.
Setup and Objective:
1.

Arrange 4 hula hoops on the ground spread out from each other at the four corners of an imaginary 25 foot square;
place with the one in the middle (imagine the dots on the five side of a dice).

2.

Place all tennis balls in the middle (neutral) hoop.

3.

Divide into four even teams See the activity write-up for Categories for creative and fun ways to divide into teams -AVOID having 4 captains pick their people (were you ever picked last? I was ...). Have each team pick a hula-hoop
and stand by it.

4.

Explain the object of the game: each team is trying to place all of the tennis balls in its hoop; once you have all the
balls, you win.

1.

There is no throwing or tossing of the balls.

2.

All the balls must be out of the middle before you can take them from others hoops.

3.

No defending the hoops.

Rules:

Facilitator Notes:
1.

Play will last for 3-5 minutes, at which point the participants will be out of breath and no nearer to winning. Signal a
pause and ask them to regroup with their teams and strategize for two minutes. One group or another may come up
with the creative solution (see step 3 below); most groups, however, will try to position the people "strategically," plan
for faster ball transfers, etc. After two minutes, signal time, have them return to their starting positions, the Ready,
Set, Go.

2.

After another fruitless 3-5 minutes, participants will still be no nearer winning and starting to become a little
frustrated. Signal another pause, and ask them to circle up as a group and perhaps "learn from each other." This will
usually produce better results; if they need prodding, restate the object of the game and the rules. Some person will
think to suggest that the groups work together; another might ask if the hoops can be moved (YES). In either event,
you know that the group is on the right track.

3.

With some planning and thinking about what you've told them, they should realize that the only way to win (other
than all of the other groups agreeing to lose -- not likely) is for them all to win, i.e., place all of the balls in the middle
hoop, then place their hoops around the balls.

4.

This activity and processing can be enriched by creating team identities which match your population; if you're
facilitating a corporate group, you might have a "design team" and an "engineering team," a "management team" and
a "union team." Likewise, if you're facilitating a school group, you might have "Preppies," "Jocks," and "Headbangers"
(am I showing my age?). Be creative.

Categories

What: An introductory activity that enables participants to mix, mingle and learn some interesting facts about one another. Works
especially well with large groups.
Group Size: 20 +
Time: 10-15 minutes
Props: None

Instructions
1.

Ask the large group to separate into smaller groups that you are about to announce. Call out a "category" using any of
the suggested questions below (or make up your own).

2.

Allow enough time for the groups to form (anywhere from 5 seconds to 30 seconds, depending upon the category).

3.

Repeat steps one and two. Continue until the group is warmed up and ready for a new activity.

Category Questions to Get You Started

Clasp your hands together and fold the thumbs across the top. Is your right thumb on top or your left? [If this is your
first question, follow the question with something like "All lefties to this side of the room, all righties over there." This should
help them understand your process.]

Fold your arms across your chest. Is your right arm on top or is your left arm on top?

Which month of the year were you born in?

Which season of the year were you born in?

Do you see yourself more as a Cadillac, a Miata, or a Jeep?

Quickly choose a partner. Turn to them and give a spontaneous wink. Which eye did you wink with?

What is your shoe size?

Imagine yourself licking an ice cream cone. Are you twirling your cone clockwise, counterclockwise, or are you licking up
and down?

Can you roll your tongue?

Facilitator Notes
Keep things moving by watching the groups and calling out new categories. Participants should not be running to their groups or
out of breath, and if they are asking questions of you or each other as they respond to each category, that is a good thing - let it
happen.
Some of these "categories" will produce 50/50 splits, some will give you groups of 3-4, others up to 12 or more. Unless you have a
particular reason to do otherwise, alternate 50/50 splits with larger splits.