- Age: 10 to adult
- Players: Whole group
- Time: 10 minutes +
- Skills: Cooperation, focus, concentration
This game is really three games in one and can be developed over a few sessions to provide an increasing challenge to a group.
Layer one (Beginner): The group stands in a circle. The leader starts by saying the name of another player across the circle. That person calls out another player's name – and so it goes on until everybody's name has been called out once and everyone has called out a name. To make this easier you can ask each person to fold their arms after calling out a name so that it is clear who is remaining. Now see if the group can repeat exactly the same pattern a couple of times – all they need to remember is the name they called out.
Layer two (Intermediate): Once the group have learnt the first layer, they are ready for this one. Take a ball, beanbag or stuffed toy (I use a quacking duck) and create a new pattern by throwing it around the circle. Everyone should throw and catch the duck (or ball) once. The order should be different to layer one. Practise and enjoy.
Now try layer one again (the names) and when that is working add layer two (the ball/duck). There should be two different patterns taking place simultaneously.
Layer three (Advanced): One person begins by making eye-contact with a player across the circle and walks slowly towards them. That person should look at someone else and slowly walk towards them. Of course this takes place in a different order to layers one and two. Practise the pattern until everyone is clear about which person they are walking towards. The hard part is that people's positions in the circle will change each time.
Finally, begin with layer one. Add layer two and if that is working add level three. Everybody needs to work even harder to make sure they avoid flying ducks. If it all goes wrong, start again with level one. When your group has mastered all three levels it will be ready for anything!
David Farmer runs the website www.dramaresource.com – a site that offers a wide range of ideas, games and courses for drama practitioners. He is the author of several books including 101 More Drama Games and Activities, from which this game is taken.