Tipping Towers (video)

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Note from Chris: This video is over 6 minutes. I kept in more content in this one so you could listen to the verbal communication of this team in action. They made the journey look easy with a good dose of task focus and thoughtful communication. 

I've been a fan of the 3D Bull Ring Tube. However, I've also been wanting to figure out how to get the people on the bottom strings of the tube more engaged – the strings at the top of the traditional version do more of the work. 

This new design hit me recently. The 'top' strings are places just below the center of the 10-inch tube (1.5-inch diameter tube). Now, the bottom strings need to provide the leverage for the ball to stay on top of the tube.  

The Objective: Get the tennis ball, that starts out on top of the 'Wide' tower, on top of the 'Narrow' tower (1-inch tube with couplings at each end). 

Needs & Numbers: One set of Tipping Towers (two towers per set) plays well with 6 to 12 participants. (You can find the three-pack set at Training Wheels, enough strings for 36 people.)  

Process: Set down the Wide Tower (with the strings spread out away from the tower) on the floor about 12 feet from the Narrow tower that is set standing on the floor. 

Rules:​

• All strings must be held at the knot located at the end of each string.
• Once the Wide Tower is off the ground, strings may not touch the ground until after the ball is successfully placed on top of the Narrow Tower.
• For safety reasons, strings may not be wrapped or folder around anything.
• The ball may only be touched by the Wide Tower and the Narrow Tower.
• Towers may not be touched by participants in any way.
• If the ball falls off either Tower, a restart is required.  

 
Possible Reflection Questions:

• What was your first impression of the activity after hearing about it? Did your impression change after starting? It what way? How is this like meeting new people?
• Let’s think about and discuss the activity in three parts. 1) Describe what you remember about starting the challenge – picking the Wide Tower up off the ground. What worked well, what didn’t? 2) Describe the portion of the challenge where you were moving the Wide Tower towards the Narrow Tower. What worked well for you and what didn’t? 3) Describe the final part of the challenge – placing the Wide Tower down over the Narrow Tower. What worked well for you as a team and what didn’t?
• What emotions surfaced for you during the challenge? How did these emotions influence the way you participated in the experience?
• In your opinion, what is the best thing you did as a team during the challenge?
• In your opinion, what is one thing you believe your team can do better when it comes to working together?

With a simple change, the next level of challenge is achieved. It's been fun to watch and valuable to learn from. 

So far we've tried it starting at floor level and tabletop level. The tabletop start and finish seem to be easier – the standing and squatting start and end from the floor involve more dynamic movements which have dislodged the ball more frequently. 

I hope you get the opportunity to try it out.

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.