Trust Exercises
Below are Samples from “The Games Box”
When you pre-order this fantastic resource you you will automatically receive a 50% discount on that purchase, a free guide on how to organise a games session and these sample games from “The Games Box” in a form that you can print out and use as individual cards.
BODY LIFT
Players are divided into groups of 8 to 10. One player from each group lies on the ground and the rest of the group put gentle but firm downward pressure on the body of that person with the palms of their hands. At the same time there should be a group count to ten, after which time every group member should place their hands under the member lying on the floor and swiftly lift them into the air and above their shoulders. The person is then gently lowered to the ground. Each person, in turn, should experience being lifted by the others.
BODY ROLL
Players lie on their stomachs on the floor, side by side, forming one long line. The player at the top end of the line rolls over the other players all the way to the end of the line. After rolling to the end s/he becomes part of the line again. The second player from the top should commence their roll soon after the first starts and so on so that there is continuous, seamless, movement of people.
BODY ROTATION 1.
Players are divided into groups of 8 to 10. One member stands in the centre surrounded by a tight circle of his/her team-mates standing shoulder to shoulder. The person in the centre makes his/her body rigid, closes their eyes and falls backwards into the supportive hands of their team-mates who then rotate them gently and swiftly around the circle. Each person should experience being rotated by the others.
BODY ROTATION 2.
Players are divided into groups of 8 to 10. One member stands in the centre surrounded by a tight circle of his/her team-mates who are seated on the ground with their shoeless feet pressed against his/her legs between the ankles and the knees. The member in the centre supported by the feet of his/her team-mates leans forward and rotates themselves in a circle. Each person should experience the freedom of rotating with the support of others.
CIRCLE SIT
The group stands in a closed circle in queue formation with their right shoulders towards the centre of the circle. The circle closes so that everyone is touching the person in front and behind them. Players hold the waist of the person in front of them. Everyone carefully bends their knees until they feel themselves supported on the knees of the person behind.
Note: This can only be successful if the circular shape is maintained throughout and it is helpful if the group leans slightly towards the centre as they are trying to settle down.
Variations: After secure sitting position is achieved.
1. Everyone stretches arms in unison.
2. Try alternate stepping with the right and left feet, (very difficult).
FINGERTIPS
Divide players into pairs. Ask them to touch all ten fingers. One player closes her/his eyes. The other player leads the ‘blind’ by the fingertips. Some obstacles should be placed around the room so that the pairs have to navigate around them.
HUMAN CONVERYOR BELT 1.
Players should stand in two lines facing each other with hands linked to form a conveyor belt. One player at a time is selected to lie on the outstretched linked arms of the group and be passed along the conveyor belt with a group tossing motion. Shoes, coins, and any other objects that might fall or hurt someone, should be removed prior to the game.
Required: A large group of people.
HUMAN CONVEYOR BELT 2.
Players lie with their backs on the floor in two lines with heads touching and feet pointing in opposite directions. Shoulders should touch and the bodies interlock by fitting snugly the heads of the opposite player into the space between the neck and shoulder of their partner. Each person’s hands should be raised, palms up, with elbows on the floor. There should be no gaps.
Choose the lightest person to begin with. That person should be assisted by two group members to lie straight and stiff on the upraised hands of the first players in the conveyor belt (If the body becomes limp, then it is hard to pass.).
The stiff body is then passed along by the group until it is lifted off the other end of the conveyor belt by the two assistants.
Required: A group of 20 or more people.
LIFE SAVER RELAY
Players are divided into two teams. Each person receives a toothpick, which they hold between their teeth. A ‘Lifesaver / Polo’ (mint candy with a hole in the middle) is placed on the toothpick of the first person of each team. The game begins. The ‘Lifesaver’ has to be passed from person to another by lining up the toothpicks so that it slides onto the next person’s toothpick. Hands must not be used. Should a ‘Lifesaver’ be dropped, that team must begin again with the first person. The first team to relay the ‘Lifesaver’ to the end of the line is the winner.
Required: Enough ‘Lifesavers / Polos’ for at least one per team.
MINEFIELD
One player is sent out of the room. Other players scatter and furniture is upturned about the floor so that it is cluttered with danger like a minefield but can also be navigated safely if the right moves are made. Blindfold the person who has been sent from the room and then bring him/her back into the room. Select someone to be his/her partner. This person then becomes the “eyes” for the blindfolded person and must direct his/her movements with vocal commands only. The aim is to get the blindfolded player to walk from one side of the ‘minefield’ to the other without getting ‘blown up’, which is what happens if s/he touches any of the other players or any of the furniture or equipment, or makes any noise.
Required: blindfolds, furniture and equipment to create a ‘minefield’
TOUCH AND TELL
Divide players into pairs. One partner (A) closes his or her eyes. The other partner (B) guides him or her slowly around the environment and finds five different surfaces for A to touch – using just their fingertips. A then opens his/her eyes and has to guess where and what the surfaces were.
TRUST RUN 1.
Players are divided into pairs. They line up like a race, one partner behind the other, facing the finish line that the leader has marked out. The person behind closes his/her eyes and holds onto the hands of the person in front. The leader says “Go!” and the players race off. Once they reach the line they swap places and race back.
For a comprehensive set of games cards for every age group, every occasion, in 11 different categories, look at “The Games Box” .
Harry Tawse | 
July 20, 2009 12:11 pm
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