Zig Zag (with Video)

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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. 
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All the best, 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.