pass-the-ball exercise (warm-ups, brainstorming ideas, collecting examples)

This very simple activity format can be used for a wide variety of purposes, for adults in
teams or groups in business and organisations, and also for children. The activity is useful
where a team of people needs encouraging to suggest examples, brainstorm ideas, or think of
words, methods, experiences, etc., and to help people memorise prior learning. As the
exercise is physical as well as mental it is also a great warm-up, and a method of enabling
people to work together and cooperate very quickly, in an enjoyable way.

Simply organise the group or team into a circle, which can be around a table. Ask them to
stand up. Throw a ball - any type of ball - to one of the group members, and explain that the
ball should be thrown to another team member - in no particular order - upon which the
receiving person must call out his or her suggestion, according to whatever theme has been
nominated by the facilitator at the start of the exercise. The facilitator should write the
suggestions on a flip-chart to review them at the end of the activity. Participants should throw
the ball to the next team member, a random, after calling out their idea or suggestion. The
exercise can also be used to reinforce prior learning, when participants can be asked to repeat
examples or details of what they have learned in a previous session. This includes calling out
stages in a particular process or repeating a set of rules or instructions.

Possible exercise themes and categories for ideas, examples, suggestions:

 reasons why customers contact suppliers

 causes of stress at work
 ideas for this year's Christmas party
 things that motivate us/me/staff
 ideas for a publicity photo-opportunity
 benefits of a given product or service
 management challenges that we face (for managers)
 ways to ask someone to do something for you
 factors that influence profit
 ideas to save cost
 ways to improve quality
 ways to delight customers outside of their normal expectations
 positive inspirational words we can use to help others
 time management tips and ideas
 examples of using positive words rather than the negative (for example, opportunity
versus problem)

Ideal group size is six to ten people. For larger groups split the people into two or more
groups and nominate facilitators for each group to record the team's suggestions and ideas.