1) Clearly explain the context and purpose of each team strategy exercise
![Rts Rts](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/88/5f/d3/885fd368616f0fe1d4451aa0b2ac6808.jpg)
2) Get people to work on the problem by themselves first
3) Then work in pairs
4) Work in groups (collaborate)
5) Get groups to present their findings to each other
6) Dot vote
Final thought
![Rts Game Exercise Rts Game Exercise](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125869046/336134594.jpg)
Games Index | Wilderdom Store |
Physical Games & Activities for GroupsWell-designed sequences of challenging physical activity can lay important foundations for physical health and well-being. Physical activity also contributes to psycho-social development. Or physical activities can simply be used for fun!...more about the benefits of physical activity. |
Descriptions of Physical Games & Activities for Groups | |
Fun physical warmup. In a circle, everyone starts as a small seed, then slowly sprouts and grows, eventually flowering towards the sun. Repeat, getting faster each time, leading eventually to seeds in unison jumping into the air and letting out loud 'ahhhs'! | |
A physical warmup activity with humorous twist. Demo 3 different stretches which, when put together, turns you into a squawking chicken (hen). Works with any age. | |
Each person chooses an action-word to go with their name (e.g., 'Swimming Sam'), then shows the action to the group who repeat it. Whole-body way to introduce oneself & learn people's names. | |
Stand on 1 Leg Competition | Ask everyone to stand on one leg. This is an excellent assessment of ankle strength, balance, and psychological centredness. Ask who can be the last one left standing? Consider non-contact (more meditative) or contact versions (e.g., hopping warfare). Swap legs and try again. |
Burning Calories Through Laughter | How many calories does laughter use? (A: People who laugh are consuming 20% more calories than people who aren't laughing. 10-15 minutes of laughter a day burns approx. 50 more calories a day), or 3 calories a minute. So, a good chuckle for 20 seconds takes an extra calorie, depending on the laugh's intensity. Announce to the group a number of calories, then they are to make each other laugh until that number of calories has each been burnt. Do this a couple of times, but try some different laughter triggers out (e.g., touching buttocks with a partner and shaking hands between legs, asking for someone to tell a joke, etc.). Encourage laughter to further improve physical conditioning. More info. |
Involves people in pairs, with one person mirroring the actions of the other. Stimulates self- and other-awareness. | |
Fun chasing game with suspense, laughter and exercise. Giant (arms up, roars) beats elf (hands to ears); elf beats wizard (waves wand & 'kazaam'); wizard zaps giant. | |
Group activities that can be done with balloons. Promotes gentle, fun physical movement, people getting to know one another, trust and working together. | |
Wobbly Body | Bodies accumulate all sorts of tensions over the minutes, hours, days and lifetimes. So, why not try out a wobbly body? You can do this any way you like - the goal is simply to have an wobbly-as-possible-physical-convulsions-for-as-long-as-possible. Build up slowly or go fast. Do this a few times yourself before trying it out with a group. |
Differently Abled | We are all different abled, we just haven't fully discovered what we can do. Any activity becomes a fun physical challenge via a twist such as switching hands, blind-folding, not talking, etc. e.g., eat lunch blindfolded or brush teeth opposite-handed. |
Fun, physically demanding, competitive team activity. Several teams pull against each other, requiring communication and tactics as well as strength to outmanoeuvre and win. | |
Ropes Challenge Courses are 'artificial mountains'. In other words, ropes courses provide engineered structures which are purpose-designed for humans to engage in climbing, balancing, stretching, etc. |
Descriptions of Physical Games & Activities for Groups (on other websites) | |
What is physical activity? Why do you need it? How can you be more physically active? How many calories can you burn? A readable overview of the whys and wherefores of physical activity? | |
Yoga: Sun Salute (or Surya Namaskar) | The classic yoga 'sun salute' can be readily learned and is an excellent all-round strength and conditioning sequence of movements, ideal to do first thing in the morning. At first it is difficult, but after regular practice over several days becomes much easier and a source of joy, peace and confidence. Initially, just concentrate on the sequence/quality of the movements, then build in the breathing. By doing it in a group, people can help one another out. Note, the warrior pose variations in this description can be skipped. |
Tag or chasey games have always been popular. They mimic the hunting and be hunted instinct and they involve fun and physical exercise. 15+ tag games described. | |
Wide games usually involve teams running or least moving and using strategy across a wide playing field or in adventurous locations and usually take some time, e.g., up to many hours or even days. 84 scout-type wide games are described. | |
Relay games are particularly fun for kids and for developing team work. Competition can bring out the best effort in people. | |
A free e-book which describes and depicts 15 moving poses, 3 meditations, 40 hints for happiness, and 25 essays, plus links, for yoga with kids. | |
Lesson plan with materials for students to do a survey of the benefits of physical activity and then compile and analyze the results. | |
Well organized site with wide range of 140+ games, lessons, particularly for elementary school, submitted by physical educators | |
100+ games & activities submitted by physical educators | |
Go to more physical education lesson plan websites | |
Describes 400+ classic kids games, many of which are physical and many of which could be readily adapted for use in educational and developmental group programs. |
Introduction to Physical Games & Activities for GroupsPhysical movement and exercise is a critical component for health and well-being. Major dimensions of physical activity include:
Some key statements about the reasons for, and benefits of physical activity come from a position statement by the International Society of Sport Psychology (1992) ('Physical Activity and Psychological Benefits'),
The Body Affects the Mind...And the Mind Affects the BodyPhysical movement and exercise bring a host of physical and psychological benefits, particularly when its aerobic and sustained for 60+ minutes every day or two over a long period (e.g, several weeks or months) (International Society for Sport Psychology, 1992). Small but unusual acts of physical movement also hold promise for bringing specific benefits. For example, exercise promotes learning by bringing more blood and oxygen to the brain. And just as physical movement and exercise have clear impacts on the mind, so too the mind can have surprising effects on the body. For example Hendricks and Fadiman (1976, pp. 108-109) describe one of Feldenkrais' (1972) ingenious exercises which demonstrate that: by practicing unusual movements we send new messages to the nervous system that allow the nervous system to send new messages to the body to release some of the built-in restrictions and allow the body more freedom and mobility. Along with the new body freedom many subjects report a feeling of psychological loosening. ReferencesFeldenkrais, M., (1972). Awareness through movement. New York: Harper & Row. Hendricks, G, & Fadiman, J. (Eds). (1976). Transpersonal education: A curriculum for feeling and being. New York: Prentice-Hall. International Society of Sport Psychology (1992). Physical activity and psychological benefits: International Society of Sport Psychology Position Statement. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 20(10), 179-184. Miller, H. B. (1969). Emotions and malignancy (hypnosis-psychiatry and organic tissue changes). Paper presented at American Society of Clinical Hypnosis Convention, San Francisco. |
Last updated:
04 Feb 2006