The Ultra Speed Ball

The Ultra Speed Ball is a collaborative game that tests communication and coordination within a team. Through five iterations, participants must pass a ball while adhering to constraints, thereby fostering agility and creativity. The aim is to improve collective performance while strengthening the bonds between team members.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction and forming the circle

   5 min

   The facilitator briefly explains the objective of the game: "Your goal is to pass this ball as quickly as possible while following the rules." Participants form a circle. The facilitator emphasises the importance of communication and coordination.

   Tip — Use a lightweight ball to avoid accidents and make the introduction engaging to capture attention.

2. 2

   First iteration

   10 min

   The facilitator gives the instruction: each participant must touch the ball once, and the ball must return to its starting point. The timer is started. Participants discover the initial difficulties and begin to think about strategies.

   Tip — Encourage participants to share their first impressions to stimulate collective reflection.

3. 3

   Analysis and optimisation

   10 min

   After the first iteration, the facilitator asks: "What improvements can we make?" Participants discuss the obstacles encountered and propose solutions to optimise the ball's path.

   Tip — Facilitate the discussion by asking open-ended questions to encourage the emergence of new ideas.

4. 4

   Second and third iterations

   15 min

   Participants implement the improvements discussed. The facilitator restarts the timer for each iteration, encouraging the team to beat their own record. Participants adjust their strategies between each attempt.

   Tip — Record the times of each iteration on a board so the team can visualise their progress.

5. 5

   Fourth and fifth iterations

   15 min

   The team continues to refine their strategy. The facilitator may introduce a new constraint, such as a change of direction or using only one hand, to stimulate creativity. Participants must adapt quickly.

   Tip — Introduce the new constraints in a playful manner to maintain a good energy level.

6. 6

   Conclusion and summary

   5 min

   The facilitator congratulates participants for their efforts and progress. They summarise the key points observed during the game, particularly the improvements and collaboration. They remind everyone of the importance of effective communication and flexibility in teamwork.

   Tip — End on a positive note by highlighting the team's successes, even if the final goal was not achieved.

Variants

• Introduce multiple balls to increase the difficulty.
• Limit discussion time between iterations to simulate time pressure.
• Conduct the exercise in silence to reinforce the importance of body language.