Catch

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Practice non-verbal calibration and shared pacing with a rotating partner through cooperative physical exchange.

Use it when: Use during in-person retreats, team kickoffs, or after long seated working sessions when participants need low-pressure physical movement and low-stakes interaction.

Skip it when: Skip when meeting spaces lack clear floor room, when participants have unaccommodated mobility or motor constraints, or during purely seated remote calls where physical tossing is impractical.

Group arrangement: Pairs; an odd person forms one group of three or manages timing.

Timing: UWT suggested 15-minute plan based on the source's 5-to-15 minute band and multiple partner rotations.

Materials and tools

• 12 medium bouncing playground balls or soft foam balls (1 per pair)
• Optional selection of 4 tennis balls or light inflatable balls for varying hand sizes
• 1 whistle, chime, or bell for partner rotation signals

Before participants arrive

1. Clear a wide indoor room or flat outdoor surface (gymnasium, courtyard, or open hallway) free of trip hazards.
2. Place balls in a central basket or along one wall.
3. Check that boundaries allow pairs at least two meters of separation from neighboring pairs.

Say this to open

Find a partner and take one ball between the two of you. Your only goal in this activity is cooperation, not competition. Throw or bounce the ball so your partner can catch it easily. No trick throws, no speed pitching. Match each other's rhythm and make your partner look good.

How to run it

1. Pair and set cooperative rhythm 3 minutes

   Speak the opening script. Have participants pair up, pick a ball, and stand two to three meters apart. Prompt them to start easy throws or one-bounce passes. Observe partner distances and remind everyone that the goal is seamless continuity rather than testing reflexes.

2. Introduce variation and rotate partners 4 minutes

   Ring the chime. Ask each person to find a new partner across the room. Introduce an optional mechanical variation: use non-dominant hands only, or enforce exactly one ground bounce between players. Pairs adjust to their new partner's height, pace, and comfort level.

3. Final rotation and silent rhythm 4 minutes

   Signal the final partner rotation. For an odd number, form a trio with one ball moving clockwise. Direct pairs to play in complete silence for this final round, relying purely on eye contact, body language, and physical pacing.

4. Debrief calibration 4 minutes

   Call time. Have pairs place balls back in the central bin and gather in a seated or standing circle. Ask two debrief questions. Collect 3 to 4 observations from the room.

Debrief questions

• What adjustments did you make when switching to a partner with a different pace or throwing style?
• How did the interaction change when you played in silence instead of speaking?
• What does making your partner look good require during everyday collaborative tasks?

Finished output: Every participant completes cooperative throwing rounds with two to three different partners and identifies personal tactics for non-verbal coordination.

Remote

This physical activity cannot be run across individual video feeds without altering its core mechanics. For remote groups, use a related verbal calibration exercise: Word Association Relay. The facilitator calls an initial common word. The first speaker says one associated word and calls the next colleague. Each person responds within two seconds. The group tracks how cleanly turns pass without interruption.

Hybrid

Hybrid delivery is not recommended because remote attendees cannot participate in physical toss exchanges. If a mixed group must meet, pair in-person participants with each other in the room while remote attendees conduct the verbal association relay in a separate video breakout room, then convene both groups for a joint debrief on turn-taking cues.

Access and participation choices

• Provide varied ball weights, sizes, and textures (e.g., lightweight foam, textured playground balls, or light beach balls) to accommodate grip strength and motor preferences.
• Participants may sit in chairs opposite each other and roll the ball along the floor.
• Anyone choosing not to toss can serve as the round timer, call partner rotations, or observe communication patterns.

If the session gets stuck

Participants throw aggressively or attempt trick throws.

Pause the room immediately. Restate the rule: if your partner drops the ball, adjust your throw, distance, or trajectory to make it easier for them.

An odd number of participants prevents even pairing.

Form one group of three standing in a triangle with one ball passing in sequence, or invite one person to act as timekeeper and caller.

Terms used here

• Non-dominant hand: The hand a person does not naturally favor for writing or throwing.