Moonball

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Coordinate collective physical action to achieve an agreed consecutive hit target.

Use it when: Use when an in-person team needs a physical break that highlights communication, positioning, and collaborative goal setting.

Skip it when: Skip when the space has low ceilings or fragile fixtures, when participants prefer non-physical activities, or when working in purely virtual settings.

Group arrangement: Single circle or scattered cluster of 4 to 12 people; split groups larger than 12 into two parallel circles.

Timing: UWT suggested 15-minute plan based on the source 5 to 15 minute range.

Materials and tools

• 1 inflated beach ball (approx. 12 to 24 inches) per group of up to 12 participants
• 1 spare beach ball in reserve
• 1 flipchart or whiteboard with dry-erase marker for recording target scores

Before participants arrive

1. Clear an open floor space at least 15 by 15 feet free of low hanging lights, wires, tables, or tripping hazards.
2. Inflate the beach ball(s) fully.
3. Set up a flipchart or whiteboard nearby to record targets and scores.

Say this to open

Our challenge is Moonball. Together as a team, our goal is to keep this beach ball airborne for a specific number of consecutive hits. Two core rules apply: you may only hit the ball with an open palm, and no one may hit the ball twice in a row. If the ball touches the ground or is hit twice by the same person, the count resets to zero. Our starting target is 20 hits. Anyone who prefers not to tap the ball can serve as the official counter or spotter.

How to run it

1. Introduce rules and set initial target 2 minutes

   Gather the group in a loose circle in the open area. Explain the open-palm rule, the no-double-hit rule, and the reset-to-zero condition. Announce the initial target (for example, 20 hits for 6 to 10 players, or 30 for larger groups). Check that everyone understands and identify any designated counters.

2. Run initial attempts 5 minutes

   Toss the ball into the center to begin. Group members hit the ball upward, calling out the running hit count out loud on each touch. If the ball hits the floor or a player contacts it twice consecutively, the count resets immediately to zero. Continue running attempts until the target is met or time expires.

3. Adjust strategy and increase target 5 minutes

   Pause the action. If the group met the target, invite them to set a higher target. If they struggled, give them 60 seconds to discuss adjustments in spacing, calling the ball, or positioning. Resume play and attempt to reach the revised target.

4. Debrief group coordination 3 minutes

   Bring the group together. Ask two brief debrief questions. Take two or three quick observations from the room.

Debrief questions

• What specific communication helped prevent two people from colliding or leaving a ball untouched?
• How did the group adapt its spacing or strategy after the count reset to zero?

Finished output: A final recorded consecutive hit score achieved by the group.

Remote

Moonball is an in-person physical movement game that cannot run online without fundamentally altering the mechanic. For a virtual team coordination exercise, substitute a sequential verbal counting game: the group attempts to count aloud from 1 to 20 without predetermined order, resetting to zero whenever two people speak simultaneously.

Hybrid

This physical ball game cannot be played equitably across split physical and remote environments. If running a hybrid session, either have the physical room play while remote participants manage tracking and strategy consulting, or switch all participants to a purely digital collaboration activity.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may participate seated or standing, tapping the ball from a chair if preferred.
• Anyone wishing to opt out of physical contact with the ball can act as official scorekeeper, verbal caller, or safety spotter without needing to provide a reason.

If the session gets stuck

Two participants collide while attempting to hit the same descending ball.

Pause briefly and instruct players to call their name or say 'mine' loudly before striking.

Dominant players run across the circle and hit every ball, leaving others standing still.

Introduce a temporary rule: every person in the circle must touch the ball once before anyone can hit it a second time.

Terms used here

• Open-palm hit: Striking the ball with the flat, open hand rather than a closed fist or finger set.