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Handshakes, Part 1 (Learning) & Part 2 (Playing) - Videos

9/20/2018

A lot of people ask me for my favorite large group activity. "Handshakes" is always at the top of my list - especially, when I turn handshakes into an action-packed exercise, called Handshake Buddies, I learned from my good friends at Group Dynamix. (See Handshakes, Part 2 - The Game with the Shakes, below.) And the BONUS: Handshakes works with smaller groups too.

First, let's learn some fun handshakes you can use with your small and large groups (Handshakes, Part 1 video). Michelle Cummings, the Big Wheel at Training-Wheels.com and me (Chris Cavert, from FUNdoing.com) got together to film some of our favorites. Here's the list:

The Basic (Right-Handed) Handshake
The High Five (more of a "connection" than a shake, but you're okay with it!)
The Fist Bump (another "connection")
The Fisherman's Handshake and the Double Fisherman's variation
The Rodeo Handshake
The Lumberjack Handshake
The Caterpillar Handshake
The Moose Handshake
The Heartbeat Handshake
The Dairy Farmer Handshake

I'm guessing many of you know lots more. Hopefully we've added one or two new ones for you. No matter how long your list of handshakes and connections, you can use them together in Handshake Buddies. It's a great way to mix and mingle groups at the beginning of a program. The Handshakes, Part 2 video (below) gives you a short verbal description, with some visuals. (I hope to add a group-in-play video soon). Here's a written description of how I play:

Handshake Buddies

Ask everyone to go back-to-back with someone in the group. (a group of three can work too).
Demonstrate a handshake (or connection).
When you say, "Ready, GO!" partners turn around and perform the handshake (connection) just demonstrated and then find someone new to stand back-to-back with (emphasize "someone new" - not someone they have shaken/connected with).
Now, demonstrate a new handshake/connection.
On "Ready GO!" partners turn around and perform this new handshake and then go off to perform the first shake with their first partner, then find someone new to stand back-to-back with.
Demonstrate a new handshake/connection.
On "Ready GO!" partners turn around, perform this new handshake, then go back to their second partner for their shake, then the first partner for their shake, then back-to-back with someone new.
And, the process continues.....
On the final back-to-back, you now have your group's attention so you can give them information for the next activity.

If you go through six handshakes/connections with your group, it takes about 10 minutes. I find six shakes is a good number to get everyone moving, interacting and warmed up. However, if the group is really into it, a couple more is not a bad thing. (Remember, don't over-play or the activity loses it effect.)

Extension: When I use handshakes with a group, I now have a way to partner up participants when I want to form other groupings. "Find you High Five partner!" Now I'm ready to split the group in half, work in pairs, put two pairs together to form a group of four, and so on. And, at the end of the program, when I call, "Handshake Buddies" everyone is energized as they work through all their shakes.

Have FUN out their my friends! Share your favorite handshake with us in the Comments below.

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Zig Zag (with Video)

9/6/2018

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Zig Zag is a nice "simple" team building challenge. I love it's versatility. I've used it with 3rd graders, as well as corporate adults - it's all about the tossables and the distance between the lines.

Basic Set Up: (Let's say, 8th grade students) Set down two lines of rope (or webbing) about 10 feet apart - make sure your lines are long enough to fit half the players in the group standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Players will need a little room to toss and catch. Have two dodge ball sized tossables ready for play (and, maybe a rubber chicken, just in case).

Group Size: Using two objects, I've programmed Zig Zag with 8 to 16 players. If my group is bigger, I'll add more objects or divide the group into smaller "teams" having all teams work on the same task. You can work on/talk about competitive and/or cooperative behavior dynamics.

Challenge: Get the objects in play through the two lines of players as quickly as possible.

Rules:

One object starts in each line.
An object must be tossed by a player from one line to a player in the other line.
All players in the game are required to toss each object at least two times.
All players in the game are required to catch each object at least two times.
If an object is dropped, the challenge is re-started.
Tosses begin when the timer says, "GO!"
Time stops after each player has tossed and caught each object at least once.

As in most timed activities, it's nice to give the group multiple attempts to "improve" their performance - whatever this looks (and sounds) like for the group. (Remember, there are "process" and "product" goals you could help the group focus on.)

Adjustments
With Younger Groups:

Move the lines closer together.
Use larger tossables like beach balls.
Roll the tossables - use volleyballs or basketballs.

With Older Groups:

Move the lines farther apart.
Use smaller objects like stress balls or tennis balls.
Use "different" objects like rubber chickens, stuffed animals or flying discs (e.g., Frisbee).
Add more tossables, for example, start a tossable at both ends of each line (4 total tossables in play) - I like to use this one to experience managing multiple tasks.

General Adjustments:

Set the lines down on angles so one end is wider than the other (e.g., >).
Start with just one tossable.

As noted above, this is (what I call) a simple team building challenge - low props and few directions. I will often use Zig Zag at the beginning of a program in order to "warm up" the group to what they will be experiencing together throughout the program.

With that said, simple does not always mean easy. I have experienced groups that breeze through the challenge, ready for more. And, I have seen groups struggle through the process because they are still working on behaviors they need to function together efficiently. That's what we're all about, right? To help our groups find the behaviors they need to function together in positive ways - ways that help, not hinder.

Let me know how it goes.

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Handshakes, Part 1 (Learning) & Part 2 (Playing) - Videos

Zig Zag (with Video)

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