Toss-A-Name Game
Time Allowance: 20 Minutes
Equipment Needed: 3-6 small balls
Steps
1. Break up into groups of eight to ten people, and stand in an informal circle.
2. A leader introduces the game by saying his/her first name, then tosses a ball to the person on his/her right or left.
3. Continuing in one direction, each person says his/her first name and continues tossing the ball in sequence until the leader again has the ball.
4. The leader then calls out someone’s name in the circle and lofts the ball to him/her, and that person calls another individual’s name, etc.
5. After the ball has been flying about for a few minutes, or more usually after you begin to get a feel for all the names in the group, start another ball, increasing the frequency of names being called and the actions.
6. Add a third ball toward the end of the game just for fun because at this point the law of diminishing returns creeps in.
7. Name game variations:
• After the names begin to flow, and as a means of reinforcement, ask the catcher to say thank you to the thrower, including the thrower’s name.
• As a finale, bring the whole group together (balls set aside) and ask if there is anyone who can name everyone. In a group of twenty-five, you should get three to six volunteers, and the person you choose will usually be 100% correct in his/her attempt. It’s an impressive and predictable feat.Processing Issues
Teamwork
Making Group Decisions