# Apple, Orange and Banana! Participants stand in a single-file circle and follow call-and-response movement prompts to jump forward, jump backward, or pivot 180 degrees without breaking the circle formation. **Time:** 10 minutes. UWT plan structured for 10 minutes; source sets scale at 12 to 30 people without a fixed duration. **People:** 8 to 24. Single-file circle facing clockwise or counter-clockwise ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Re-engage physical focus and coordination across the group after a sedentary session or break. **Use it when:** Use immediately after lunch or a long sit-down work block when energy is sluggish and the room needs a quick physical reset. **Skip it when:** Skip when participants have restricted mobility, when footwear or flooring is slippery, or when people prefer to avoid physical proximity. ## Materials and tools - Flat, open floor space free of tripping hazards ## Before participants arrive 1. Clear chairs, tables, and bags out of the center of the room to create a wide, clear circular walking path. ## Say this to open Let us get moving for a few minutes. Please join me standing in a circle, facing the back of the person to your right. If you prefer not to jump or turn, you can take on the role of co-caller or observe without any explanation needed. ## How to run it ### 1. Form circle and teach movements (2 minutes) Guide participants into a single-file circle facing clockwise. Explain that hands may rest gently on the shoulder of the person ahead, or individuals may hold their hands near their sides without touching. Teach the three verbal commands: Apple means jump forward one step along the circle perimeter. Orange means jump backward one step along the perimeter. Banana means hop or turn 180 degrees over your left shoulder to face the opposite direction. ### 2. Run single-command warm-up (3 minutes) Call single commands at a measured tempo with two to three seconds between each: 'Apple', 'Banana', 'Apple', 'Orange'. If the circle breaks or someone turns the wrong way, pause briefly, reset spacing, and continue. Keep calls clear and predictable. ### 3. Introduce combined commands (3 minutes) Increase the challenge by calling two-step and three-step sequences without pauses between words, such as 'Apple-Orange' or 'Banana-Apple-Banana'. Participants execute the actions in the exact order called while trying to keep the circle continuous. ### 4. Wrap up and transition (2 minutes) Bring the movement to a halt. Invite everyone to step back into a loose circle, take two deep breaths, and return to their seats. Ask one or two quick reflection questions to close. ## Debrief questions - What helped you stay coordinated when the commands came faster? - How did turning around as a group affect your balance and timing? **Finished output:** The group successfully executes sequential movement commands together without room collisions. ## Remote UWT solo video adaptation: Keep the same command meanings as the in-person version. Apple means move forward one small step, Orange means move backward one small step, and Banana means turn 180 degrees over the left shoulder. Participants who remain seated can indicate forward, backward and the change of facing direction with hand gestures. Everyone needs clear space for their chosen movement; no physical circle or shoulder contact is used. The facilitator calls the same single commands and combined sequences from the run steps while participants respond on camera. Pause, reset orientation and continue after a mistaken sequence. Keep the existing 10-minute timing and closing reflection. ## Hybrid UWT hybrid adaptation: Everyone follows the solo video version described under Remote, including participants in the room. Use the full roster in one video meeting regardless of location; do not form separate physical and remote groups. Each participant needs a view of the caller and clear space for their chosen movement. Room participants use individual devices and headsets where needed to hear the shared commands without audio feedback. Apple means move forward one small step, Orange means move backward one small step, and Banana means turn 180 degrees over the left shoulder. Participants who remain seated may indicate forward, backward and the change of facing direction with hand gestures, or choose the existing co-caller or observer role. No shoulder contact or physical chain is required in this hybrid version. Keep the same single-command warm-up, combined sequences, pauses and resets, 10-minute timing and closing reflection. Check visibility, audio and movement space before starting. ## Access and participation choices - Physical touch is strictly optional; participants may hover hands off shoulders or keep hands by their sides. - Participants with joint or balance concerns may take a single step instead of jumping, or act as the verbal caller alongside the facilitator. - Anyone may pass by stepping outside the circle to keep time or simply observe. ## If the session gets stuck **Participants collide or bunch up when turning during Banana.** Specify the exact pivot direction before starting, such as always turning over the left shoulder. **Participants are uncomfortable placing hands on another person's shoulders.** State clearly during setup that people may keep hands loose at their sides or mimic the motion without physical contact. ## Terms used here - Single-file circle: A circle where each person faces the back of the person ahead of them, moving along the circumference. ## Sources and adaptation Observed in SessionLab as shared by Rico Martins, who attributed the inspiration to 'Dreams for Life'. Retained the core commands (Apple forward, Orange backward, Banana 180-degree turn) and escalating complexity (single to combined calls) from the SessionLab record by Rico Martins. UWT added explicit consent options for physical contact, standardized the pivot direction (left shoulder) to prevent head-on collisions, and added step timing and access choices. UWT clarified the delivery instructions on September 20, 2026 to preserve the stated task, make participation across locations explicit, and distinguish digital variants from physical procedures. [SessionLab](https://www.sessionlab.com/methods/3gch79) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/apple-orange-and-banana/