--- title: "Build-a-Shake" description: "Pairs invent a two-step physical or no-contact greeting, then switch partners twice to combine and expand the sequence into a shared six-step greeting." last_updated: "2026-09-07" canonical: "https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/build-a-shake/" --- # Build-a-Shake Pairs invent a two-step physical or no-contact greeting, then switch partners twice to combine and expand the sequence into a shared six-step greeting. **Time:** 15 minutes. Based on the 5 to 10 minute core mechanic reported in SessionLab and Teampedia, expanded to 15 minutes to include setup, three progressive rounds, demonstrations, and debrief. **People:** 4 to 24. Rotating pairs. If there is an odd number of participants, one person serves as the timekeeper and room judge to keep all remaining participants in even rotating pairs. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Practice collaborative consensus and memory recall by iteratively combining simple physical gestures in rotating pairs. **Use it when:** Use as a high-energy warm-up or transition to get people on their feet and interacting with multiple partners in a short time. **Skip it when:** Skip when participants have mobility limitations that make rapid physical movement uncomfortable, or in professional settings where physical contact or informal gestures are inappropriate. ## Materials and tools - A room timer or bell - A whiteboard or flip chart with marker to list gesture ideas ## Before participants arrive 1. Clear an open floor space where participants can stand and move freely between partners. 2. Write 4 to 6 sample gesture ideas on the board (for example: fist bump, high five, elbow tap, wave, snap, bow) including contact and no-contact options. ## Say this to open We are going to build a collaborative greeting from scratch. You will work with three different partners. With each new partner, you will combine what you already have and add two new moves until you have a six-step greeting. Physical touch is completely optional; you can use waves, bows, snaps, or any gesture you like. Let's find your first partner now. ## How to run it ### 1. Create two-step greeting (3 minutes) Explain the activity using the opening script. Participants pair up. If there is an odd count, designate one volunteer as the timekeeper and room judge. Each pair invents a distinct 2-step greeting (for example, a high five followed by an elbow tap). They practice until both people can perform it reliably from memory. The facilitator or volunteer calls time at 3 minutes. ### 2. Switch and expand to four steps (3 minutes) Everyone finds a new partner. Each person demonstrates their original 2-step greeting. Together, they choose which greeting to keep as the base, then add 2 new moves to create a 4-step sequence. They practice until both know all 4 steps. ### 3. Switch and expand to six steps (3 minutes) Everyone switches to a third partner. They show each other their 4-step routines, choose one base sequence, and agree on 2 final moves to create a 6-step greeting. They rehearse until synchronized. ### 4. Demonstrate sequences (4 minutes) Gather the whole group in a circle. Each final pair performs their 6-step greeting for the room. The timekeeper and room judge times the demonstrations and can call out creative details. Keep each demonstration under 20 seconds so all pairs can share. ### 5. Debrief (2 minutes) Facilitator asks the debrief questions to the full group, taking 2 or 3 quick observations from volunteers. ## Debrief questions - How did you decide which greeting to build on when you joined a new partner? - What made it easy or difficult to remember the full sequence as it grew longer? **Finished output:** All participating pairs perform a memorized, agreed-upon six-step physical or no-contact greeting sequence. ## Remote Run in video breakout rooms of 2. In Round 1, pairs invent 2 on-camera gestures (like a screen tap, wave, or head nod). In Round 2 and Round 3, use breakout room reassignment so partners swap and build to 4 and 6 gestures. Reconvene in the main room and spotlight each pair to perform their routine simultaneously on camera. ## Hybrid Pair in-person participants with in-person partners, and remote participants with remote partners in dedicated breakout rooms. Avoid pairing an in-person person with a remote screen, as spatial timing becomes awkward. Both streams demonstrate to the whole group at the end. ## Access and participation choices - Physical contact is strictly optional. Participants may use purely air-based or verbal gestures such as salutes, air high fives, snaps, or bows. - Anyone who prefers not to move rapidly or memorize choreography may choose to serve as the timekeeper and room judge instead of participating in a pair. ## If the session gets stuck **An odd number of participants leaves one person without a partner.** Assign the odd participant to the timekeeper and room judge role. This preserves strict two-person partner rotations across all rounds without stranding anyone. **Partners cannot agree on which greeting to keep or what moves to add, stalling progress.** Prompt them to play Rock-Paper-Scissors or simply take move 1 from person A and move 2 from person B. ## Terms used here - Step: A single distinct action or gesture in a sequence, such as a high five, snap, or wave. ## Sources and adaptation Observed in Teampedia and SessionLab under the title 'Build-a-Shake'. Retained the progressive 2-4-6 step iteration and partner rotation recorded in Teampedia and SessionLab. UWT added explicit no-contact options, exact step timings summing to 15 minutes, dedicated rules for handling odd group numbers through an active timekeeper and room judge role, and remote/hybrid adaptations. [Teampedia](https://www.teampedia.net/wiki/Build-a-Shake) [www.sessionlab.com](https://www.sessionlab.com/methods/build-a-shake) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/build-a-shake/