Speedball

Speedball is a fun, active icebreaker game. When played right, it can lead to a terrific finale and a productive debrief. Through the game, participants are encouraged to share creative ideas and work together to accomplish a shared goal. At the same time, the fun element keeps things loose and low pressure, creating a great environment for a new group to start getting to know each other. All you need is something that can be thrown relatively easily; a ball is good, but something a little wacky, like a big stuffed animal or a sleeping bag, can be even better.  In this game, you don’t immediately reveal the final goal.

Check out our piece on icebreaker misconceptions here before you read this!

Setup

• Arrange everyone standing in a circle around you.
• Introduce the speedball. Have some fun with the intro, as it helps set the tone for fun and creativity.
• Explain, “We’ll be playing an awesome game with the speedball. The most important rule is that the speedball doesn’t touch the ground.” Toss it to someone in the circle; he should catch it.
  • This participant will be involved for the rest of the game, so choose wisely. Choose someone who will influence other people to participate, or someone who you’re afraid will quickly wander off if not engaged.

• Give him a quick round of applause, and ask him to throw it back to you. This time, before you throw it to him, explain that each person, before throwing, should announce their names; announce your name and throw to the same person you threw to the first time.
  • Name is good for an icebreaker. If your group already knows names, use any other question everyone can provide an answer to.
• Assuming he caught it (and said thank you, of course), instruct him to throw the speedball across the circle to someone else. He should announce his name and toss across. The recipient should catch the speedball, say thank you, announce his own name, and throw it across the circle to someone else.

Oops!

• At some point, the speedball will inevitably hit the ground. Step in, ask for the speedball back while leading a quick cheer for a good effort, and start again from the first person you threw to. Everyone must throw to the same person they threw to originally!
  • Someone might suggest just passing the ball around the circle. That’s a great idea, but not yet; for now, try to gloss over it. You can also say, “That’s a great idea-we’ll be ready for ideas in a couple of minutes!”

Sharing Ideas, Working Together, Succeeding Together

• Your first goal is for everyone to receive the speedball and for it to get back to you. After that, you will challenge them to get their time as low as possible. If the first round is done in 3 minutes, challenge them to get it to a minute and a half, then below a minute, then 40 seconds, 20, 10, 5, etc. Each time, you’re presenting a new challenge. First, congratulate them on reaching the previous goal, and suggest: “What do you say about x seconds!”
• The group will have to adapt its strategy either due to the time pressure or people having trouble catching the speedball. Either way, you’re looking for participants to suggest ideas that will speed up and streamline each round. In the beginning, you’ll likely have to draw attention to suggestions; towards the end, try to step out and encourage them to suggest and attempt new ideas on their own. Stay involved by starting each new round, so you can continue celebrating with them.

You Did It!

• If the group allows for it, you will often end up squished together with everyone touching the speedball, and everyone shouting their names on a count of 3; you can call that finishing in under 1 second! Celebrate and cheer!

Check out our posts on running a post-activity debrief: Part 1 and Part 2