Zombie Name Game

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Practice recalling names quickly under mild, playful time pressure.

Use it when: Use during early team formation or the start of a training session to reinforce group names.

Skip it when: Skip if the room lacks open floor space, if participants experience high anxiety around fast recall, or if physical mobility constraints make standing games impractical.

Group arrangement: Single whole-room circle

Timing: UWT suggested 10 minutes based on classic improv circle game norms

Materials and tools

• Name tags for all participants (optional but helpful for early rounds)
• Timer or stopwatch

Before participants arrive

1. Clear a circular space with at least 8 to 10 feet of clear floor inside the circle.
2. Ensure unobstructed footing so people can move safely.

Say this to open

We are going to play Zombie Name Game to practice everyone's names. One person starts in the center as the zombie, walking slowly with arms outstretched toward someone in the circle. If the zombie is coming toward you, call out someone else's name before you get tagged. The zombie must immediately change course and walk toward the new person. If you get tagged before naming someone, you switch and become the new zombie.

How to run it

1. Form circle and introduce rules 2 minutes

   Gather participants in an open circle. State the rules using the opening script. Demonstrate a slow, steady walking pace. Clarify that tags must be a gentle touch on the shoulder or upper arm.

2. Run practice round 2 minutes

   Ask for a volunteer or have the facilitator step in as the first zombie. Run a slow practice round where the walker moves at half-speed. Let at least three name calls happen to confirm everyone understands the redirect mechanic.

3. Play full-speed rounds 4 minutes

   Allow normal, brisk walking speed. Running is not permitted. When a target is tagged before saying a name, the tagged person becomes the zombie immediately, while the former zombie takes the empty spot in the circle. Play continues until several rotations occur or time runs out.

4. Reflect and close 2 minutes

   Call a freeze. Gather in place. Facilitate a brief reflection using one or two prompt questions. Transition to the next agenda item.

Debrief questions

• What helped you recall names under the pressure of someone approaching you?
• How did eye contact affect your ability to redirect the walker?
• What patterns or blind spots did you notice in who got called?

Finished output: The group completes multiple rounds of naming every member, finishing with a brief verbal reflection.

Remote

The physical mechanic requires moving across a room and cannot run identically online. For a video call, run an intentional name redirect chain: One person acts as the caller, pointing their camera or spotlight at someone and saying their name. That person must immediately call another person's name within three seconds before the caller shouts Tag. Keep microphones unmuted.

Hybrid

Not recommended for a combined hybrid floor because spatial distance and walking routes cannot include online screens fairly. Run in-person while remote attendees either observe as coaches or play a parallel verbal tag round in their own breakout room.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may choose to remain seated in the circle and be approached at a slower pace.
• Participants with mobility limitations can participate by verbal redirects without being required to walk as the center player.
• Anyone can opt out of active play and serve as the round timer or safety referee.

If the session gets stuck

The walker runs or charges aggressively across the circle.

Enforce a strict walking-only rule. Remind the group that the zombie must walk at a steady, deliberate pace.

Participants panic and repeatedly call only one or two familiar names.

Pause briefly and challenge the group: You may only call someone who has not been targeted in the last two turns.

Terms used here

• Zombie: The designated player in the center who walks slowly toward another participant until redirected.
• Redirect: Calling out a fellow participant's name to change the zombie's direction.