Wizz Bang

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Re-engage group alertness and practice fast group coordination without personal disclosure.

Use it when: Use during mid-session energy slumps or between sedentary agenda blocks to reset group attention.

Skip it when: Skip when participants need quiet focus, when fast movement or loud vocal calls disrupt neighboring rooms, or during sensitive discussions.

Group arrangement: Whole group in a single circle.

Timing: UWT suggested 10 minutes total; source evidence describes progressive additions after 30 seconds.

Materials and tools

• No specialized materials required.
• Optional flip chart and marker if posting gesture reminders.

Before participants arrive

1. Clear a central floor space so all participants can stand or sit in an unobstructed circle with clear sightlines.

Say this to open

We will pass an imaginary impulse around our circle using quick calls and gestures. Your job is to keep the impulse moving cleanly without breaking cadence. Let us begin with two starter moves.

How to run it

1. Form circle and teach base moves 2 minutes

   Gather the group into a circle. Demonstrate the starter moves. Move 1 is 'WIZZ': flick a hand toward your direct neighbor to send the impulse in that direction. Move 2 is 'BANG': thrust a forearm vertically in front of your chest to reverse direction back to the sender. Receiving a Wizz gives two options: send a Wizz forward to the next neighbor in the same direction, or block with Bang to reverse back to the sender.

2. Run base round 2 minutes

   Facilitator starts by sending a Wizz to an immediate neighbor. Allow the impulse to travel and reverse around the perimeter until the group establishes a consistent cadence.

3. Introduce cross-circle gestures 4 minutes

   Pause action to introduce cross-circle pairs. Pair 1: 'VROOM' and 'AHHHH'. Extend arms toward someone across the circle and say 'VROOM'. That person catches by pulling hands to chest and saying 'AHHHH'. Pair 2: 'SHOOT' and 'KERPLUNK'. Mimic shooting a basketball and call 'SHOOT'. That person forms an arm ring and calls 'KERPLUNK'. The recipient restarts with Wizz, Vroom, or Shoot.

4. Wrap up and debrief 2 minutes

   Bring the game to a clean stop after a successful run. Ask one or two debrief questions to transition back to the main agenda, taking two or three brief comments from the room.

Debrief questions

• What helped you stay ready to respond when the impulse moved unpredictably?
• How did the group recover when a signal was dropped or two people reacted at once?

Finished output: Completion of three active coordination rounds with whole-group participation.

Remote

Display screen names clearly. Post a numbered attendee roster in chat so numbers 1 to N form a virtual circle. 'Wizz' passes to the next number in sequence; 'Bang' reverses to the previous number. For cross-circle moves, add the recipient name: call 'Vroom [Name]' (recipient catches with 'Ahhhh') or 'Shoot [Name]' (recipient catches with 'Kerplunk'). The recipient then continues with Wizz, Vroom, or Shoot.

Hybrid

Hybrid delivery is not recommended because remote participants cannot share perimeter sightlines needed for adjacent gestures. Run in person only, or run an audio turn-taking energizer for all participants.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may sit in chairs positioned directly within the circle perimeter instead of standing.
• Participants may substitute low-energy hand gestures or verbal calls only if shoulder or arm movement is restricted.
• Anyone may step back one pace outside the circle to serve as cadence tracker without disclosure.

If the session gets stuck

Two participants speak or gesture at the same moment.

Remind the room that the recipient holds the turn; pause briefly and let that recipient reset with a clear Wizz.

Participants hesitate because they forget the cross-circle catch responses.

Facilitator calls out the matching prompt aloud or points to the posted gesture reminder.

Terms used here

• Impulse: The imaginary token or turn passed between participants using voice and gesture.