FUNdoing - Activities for Team Builders
  • FUNdoing
  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Books
  • Trainings
  • Ricochet
  • Contact
  • Store

Through the Hoop (While Safely Distancing)

9/3/2020

3 Comments

 
Picture

Our friend Neil Mercer (On Board, Pressure Cooker 2.0, Microphone Introductions) from Israel sent in another activity for us to work on/with - one that can be done while safely distancing. He sent us a note: 

I was rummaging through my game files and came across another of those activities from the meandering mind of Neil Mercer, that I’d written down but never actually brought to fruition. It seems as though it was just biding its time and waiting for its moment! I’ve attached my instructions – both for facilitator and participant on one sheet [PDF Download below]. I’ve played it a couple of times which went quite well. Some other colleagues of mine have also used it. Please let me know what you think of it.
Wishing you well and keep safe,

Neil 

​Here are the original directions for 'Just One Step' from Neil: 
just_one_step_mercer_2020.pdf
File Size: 117 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Shortly after he sent the directions, he followed up with a change: 

I think that one step is actually not enough. So each participant is allowed two steps – which includes the step needed to pass through the hoop. Of course, the name of the task thus becomes, JUST TWO STEPS. As the facilitator, it’s important to be strict regarding the rules of touching the hoop or it touching the ground –otherwise, the task will be too easy. Furthermore, we should be sensitive regarding the size of the hoop and the self-perceived size of the participants. Perhaps having a larger hoop available would be wise.
N

[NOTE from Chris: I really like how Neil just gets things out there, shares it, asks for feedback, refines it and lets us all join in on the discovery. If we wait to share until something is "just right" (i.e., perfect), it may never reach the helpful hands of others.] 
An Exercise in Variation (from Chris)

After Neil sent me, Just Two Steps, I took a little time to let it simmer. He left his directions pretty wide open for interpretation - something I like to do as well when I start building on an idea. I decided I wanted more specific Rules and less restriction on movement. One of my preferences when creating an activity, one that works for me, is to have as much moving around as possible (minimizing 'wait' time). So, here's what I came up with: 

Preparations: Use a large diameter hula hoop (being mindful of Neil's second email) and three lengths of rope or p-cord about 4-feet (1 meter) long. (If you use a length of webbing as the 'hoop' use four lengths of rope to make the webbing form a square hoop.) Tie the ropes to the hoop so the 'hoop apparatus' (HA) looks like the configuration in the diagram above. Tie an overhand on a bite at the end of each rope to create a small loop 'handle'. Set down the HA among the spots. 

Set out games spots, like illustrated in the diagram above, at a distance mandated by the distancing procedures you are following (e.g., all spots are 6 feet from any other spot). In the diagram, there are 15 spots for a group of 12 participants - if you add more spots, the activity will be a little easier. 


Directions:
  • PPE: Since participants may be passing within 6-feet of each other (and maybe closer), masks might be required - LOPs. Also, providing hand sanitizer or, at least, one rubber glove (holding the rope) might be recommended as well - LOPs. (At least 6 participants will be touching the ends of the ropes.) 
  • Ask everyone to stand, by themselves, on a spot.
  • Safety Protocol: Everyone should do their best to stay '6 feet' away (LOPs) from each other. If someone sees they are too close to someone else, he/she is free to move and occupy an open spot in a different area.
  • OPTIONAL RULE (it will make the activity a bit more challenging) Participants are allowed to move to a different spot as long as no one is touching the Hoop Apparatus - see Rules below. 
  • Objective: Everyone must pass completely through the hoop. This will be a timed activity - time starts movement on "Go" and stops after the last person goes 'Through the Hoop' and everyone is standing on a spot. 
  • Hoop Apparatus (HA) Movers can move anywhere within the activity area - they don't need to stand on a spot while they are manipulating the HA. 
  • After a participant passes through the hoop (completely), the HA Movers set down the HA in the playing area and move to, and stand on, an open spot. The HA is now ready for another group to pick it up the get someone else through. (HA Movers may not move the hoop over two or more people in a row. They can come back to be a Mover after another group of Movers passes someone through.)

Rules:
  • Participants cannot make physical contact with the hoop.  
  • The HA Movers can only manipulate the ropes by holding the loop handle at the end of the rope - no other part of the rope may be touched. 
  • HA Movers may not touch any part of the HA until all non-hoop movers are standing on a spot. 
  • Non-HA Movers are required to pass through the hoop completely - the hoop can start at the feet and be lifted up over the head or the hoop can start at the head and go down past the feet. 
  • All participants are required to keep at least one foot on his/her spot at all times while going through the hoop - any part of a foot on any part of the spot.

If a Rule is broken, 10 seconds is added to the overall group time. (Who will be responsible for keeping track of Rule violations?) 
Here is some of my thinking about this version:
  • It's okay for the hoop (and ropes) to touch the ground - keeping the hoop off the ground would require more ropes for the change-over and might bring participants close together. 
  • Forcing the HA Movers to change out after each 'through the hoop' provides more opportunities for other participants to be active and assume the 'risk' of moving the hoop over someone.
  • Not touching the HA until everyone else is on a spot opens up some strategic planning opportunities (e.g., the HA Movers place the hoop down 'over' an empty spot after moving the hoop over someone. Then, a participant runs to the spot inside the hoop, ready for the new Movers to bring the hoop up and over). 
  • With all the specific rules, there is an opportunity for the group to create a number of roles and responsibilities during the task - and some will change for participants depending on how much they want to take on. There is more to do for more people. 
Give your group the opportunity to try this one a few times in order to improve. 
Through the Hoop does have some proximity risk and sharing equipment (ropes). So, you will have to run this through your current LOPs to determine if this activity can be used. I like the dynamics of it and the opportunity to try it a few times in order to improve. And, what will the group decide to improve upon? A process goal (e.g., keep safely distanced) or a product goal (e.g., a better time)? Or, both? 

I hope you get to try this one. Let us know how it goes. Leave a Comment below. 

All the best, 

Neil & Chris
3 Comments
Karen Whittaker
10/21/2020 05:46:43 am

I love the idea of this! I am going to try it soon but I decided to rename it "Decontaminate" I like to have a story line so this is what I came up with:
Your team has come in contact with a dangerous and deadly chemical. In order to decontaminate you must pass the hoop that will spray a neutralizing agent that is the only cure. This must be done as quickly as possible because the chemical will quickly cause irreversible health issues. Those exposed will become weak quickly and so the job of passing the hoop over team members must switch so that no one is over tasked. Good luck!

Reply
Chris
10/21/2020 01:35:23 pm

Karen - love the story line. You know, I've not used stories for a while. I think it's time to put them back into the tool box. I'm definitely using yours!

Reply
Jenn Steinmetz
12/6/2020 11:19:17 am

Karen, Great idea!
Chris, checking for understanding on the spots ( help the group maintain distance - I'm thinking) I must be on a spot unless I am operating the HA? I must be on a spot when I get decontaminated (love that Karen)? I must move to an empty spot when my HA turn is over?

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Find Out More Here

    JOIN
    FUNdoing
    Fridays
    Team Building Activities sent to your email every two weeks! 
    Picture
    FREE Processing Activity just for signing up! 

    Picture
    Processing for Beginners
    FREE Mini-Course

    Click for Information

    Some Team Building Tools at the STORE! 
    Picture


    Details & Purchase
    Picture
    Details & Purchase
    Picture
    Details & Purchase

    Blog Author

    Dr. Chris Cavert is an internationally known author, speaker, and trainer in the area of adventure-based activity programming and its relation to community and pro-social behavior development.

    Blog Purpose

    This blog is a space for hands-on programable fun - energetic activities and ideas that can be used as a means to bring people together; activities and ideas we as educators can add to our social development curriculums. 

    Categories

    All
    Activities
    A Files
    A-Files
    Challenge Course
    Chiji Cards
    CUP Activities
    Ed Tech 4 Adv Ed
    Facilitation
    Fun Props
    Lessons
    Let's Talk About
    List Play
    Noodles
    On Pedagogy
    Print N Play
    Processing
    Programming
    Puzzles
    Read This
    Repurposed
    Resources
    Small Group Activities
    Tools For Team Builders
    Top 10 Activities
    Variations
    Videos
    Virtual
    What? & Why?

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly