This team building activity helps to build trust and communication. Pairs are tasked with leaning forward and finding balance with their palms against each other. They then have to ‘spring’ off and ‘land’ together again.
Resources: None.
Space Required: Medium. Indoors or outdoors
Group Size: 8 – 16 participants, divided into pairs
Total Time: 15 minutes
- 5 minutes to brief and setup
- 5 minutes for the activity
- 5 minutes to review and debrief
Running the Activity
- Explain the activity: The aim of this trust-building activity is to create a human springboard between two people. The group is divided into pairs, and each pair begins the activity standing 2m apart. Each person has to put their hands out about chest-level (palms facing forward and elbows in), until their hands touch their partners’.
- Once their palms are flat against each others’, partners have to lean in and then push against each other, creating a human springboard. They should ‘spring’ off and ‘land’ back together.
- If successful, each person takes a small step back, lengthening the distance between them and try to ‘spring’ off each other again.
- The pair should continue lengthening the distance, while maintaining safety and trust between them.
- The activity ends after the allotted time (minimum 5 minutes).
Safety
- Partners should not interlock fingers.
- Instead of palms flat against each other, a clenched fist against an open palm is another safe option.
- Communication and trust between partners is important. If one person is uncomfortable with the activity as the distance between partners lengthens, the pair should stop. Facilitators should keep a close eye on participants as the activity is happening.
Variations
- To make the activity more challenging, get the pairs to raise their hands over their heads instead of placing them at chest-level.
Activity Notes
As this activity requires some physical contact, it would work best with participants who are already familiar with each other. It is important to emphasise safety during this activity, and ensure that the activity area is free of any obstacles that could harm participants should they fall. It may be helpful to pair up partners of similar heights when running this activity for the first time with the group.
Suggested Learning Outcomes
- Communication
- Trust
- Cooperation
- Risk awareness
Review
Suggested questions to ask:
- Did you have any hesitations before ‘springing’ off?
- How did you feel about having to rely on your partner?
- How well did you communicate during the challenge?
- Why was cooperation important during this challenge?
- What, if anything, stops you from trusting others around you in the workplace?
- What did you learn from the challenge?
