Gotcha

This exercise very good for at the end or as energizer. You can use it for a break, to get everybody laughing. Or if there have been moments of tension or irritation in the group. It’s also a great way to end your session with laughter and joy.

Required materials

None

Arrangement

All the participant stand in a circle.

Frame

This is a game by which you have to concentrate. Your left-right coordination is also tested.

How it works

• Stick your right-hand to the right with you palm upwards.
• Place your left-forefinger on the right-hand of your neighbor.
• On 3, you try to catch your neighbors finger while trying not to get your own finger save.
• Switch right/left hand, forefinger up or down.

Differentiation

1. Let other participants count.
2. Design the rule that during the countdown everybody needs to have his palm completely open.
3. Skip 3 and fool the participants.

Evaluation

(Many times this isn’t even necessary.)

1. Did you manage to get the finger of your neighbor?
2. Did someone catch your finger?
3. Did you get better over time?

Attention points

Don’t play the game for too long, it is mostly just a fun activity.

Security check

Not necessary.

Clap clap

A very simple energizer which can give a lot of new insights is ‘Clap Clap’. (I love it when it’s more than just an energizer).

The participants stand in a circle. You as the trainer start by making a quarter turn with your body and look at the person which stands left to you. While you are making eye contact with this person you clap in your hands. Ask the other person to clap in his or her hands at the same time. Ask him or her to turn to the person which stands left from him or her and to do the same.

In this way you can make a cycle until everyone has participated.

After this you can do it again and challenge the participants to clap at exactly the same time. This happens best if people make contact with one another.

You can challenge the participants by asking them to do it faster. Or you can ask them to choose between clapping at exactly the same time or not clapping at exactly the same time.

This is always hilarious and can give a lot of insights in making contact, cooperation and focus.