We can all talk about the importance of teamwork but the way to make it happen is to do some practical things as a group so that we experience it.
Some simple games like follow the leader or trying to keep a soft ball or balloon in the air as a group can be a good way into working together. Small group challenges can work really well, remember to give clear instructions and time limits.
Here are some suggestions for drama based team working exercises that you can do with the whole group.
BEGINNERS – GROUP FOCUS
Level 1 – The whole group stand in a circle and hold hands. The leader squeezes the hand of the person on their right, who in turn sends then squeeze around the circle and eventually back to the leader. Encourage the group to concentrate so that only one squeeze is going around at any time. Can they go quicker and still retain one squeeze.
Level 2 – The leader sends two hand squeezes around the circle, one in each direction. Do they both come back at the same time?
Level 3 – The facilitator sends two hand squeezes around the circle and when they get them back they will do 3 handclaps. The aim is for the whole group to do the 3 hand claps at exactly the same time as the leader.
And so on…
INTERMEDIATE – GROUP OBJECTS
The group walk around the room, make sure they are walking alone and not always next to the same person, changing direction, filling the space. When the leader calls out a number they must quickly make a group of that number with the people nearest to them. The leader then asks them to make an object and they have a slow count of 10 to do it. Here are some examples of objects but feel free to add your own
- A throne fit for a king
- A rattlesnake
- A train that can travel
- An elephant with ears and a trunk that can move
- A washing machine that spins
Once everyone has seen all of the objects the group go back to walking around the room until the leader calls out another number.
ADVANCED – GROUP WALKING
The aim is to get the group moving through the space in unison. Here’s how works
Level 1 – The group walk around the room – encourage a good level of energy and that everyone is at about the same pace. The goal is to keep the space full so they need to be constantly aware of everyone else and when they see gaps they need to walk into them. The leader calls out STOP – everyone needs to stop immediately. When they say GO everyone starts again with the same energy.
Level 2 – Continue with Level 1 but take out the verbal instruction. There should be no leader within the group – the aim is for the group to stop and start in unison just be being aware of the energy of the room
Level 3 – Everyone brings a chair into the space. Repeat Level 1 and introduce another instruction SIT and STAND. Again you are looking for calm precision work so rather than race to sit down the group should be encouraged to go their nearest seat but only sit down when everyone can do it together without speaking.
Level 4 –The group attempt to implement STOP/START and SIT/STAND without any verbal cues.
