Activity

COMPETITIVE HUMAN KNOTS

Number of participants

10 to 20 participants

Objectives

● To activate the body.
● To assess each other’s problem-solving approaches and communication styles.
● To allow people to approach each other and break the ice.
● To promote teamwork, sharing and listening between the participants.

Where does the activity take place within the process

Beginning

Duration

10 to 15 minutes

Material needed

Preparation

Prepare the room/space so that it is as spacious as it can be, without obstacles.

Step by step description

1. Split the group into teams of 5 to 10 participants.

2. Ask participants to stand in a circle, shoulder to shoulder. Participants should stand close enough so that all participants can reach the centre of the circle.

3. Ask them to put their left hands toward the centre of the circle. When their hands reach the centre, the participant will take the hand of the participant on the opposite side of the circle. If this is not possible, you may need to divide the teams into smaller groups. The participant should not grab the hand of the immediate neighbour, but of the participant opposite the circle.

4. Participants reach right hands across the circle and grab the hand of the other participant. Make sure that they are holding one hand from two different participants.

5. Team members must try to untangle the confusion without releasing hands. Participants can duck, twist, turn, squeeze through gaps in legs and elbows, step and jump. Participants must discuss the best move, agree on a route, try the action, and adjust as necessary.

6. The activity ends when no hands are left in the middle of the circle and participants form one big circle. The first group to untangle the circle wins.

Closing up

The activity can be concluded in the circle of participants answering the question:
● What was the hardest thing to do?
● How did you like the activity?

Resources

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Comments / hints for facilitators

If teams do not work in harmony during this activity, the result will be an unsolved complex situation and a bunch of sore arms. This is a great reminder that success of a team depends on the ideas and contributions of all team members. With 4 or less participants in a team, the knot solves too quickly. With more than 10 participants in the team, the knot becomes complicated and unwieldy. The facilitator may set a time limit to stop the activity from taking too long. The group that makes the most progress by the end wins. This activity is fun, chaotic, difficult and great for uniting different groups.
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