The goal of this lively, playful game is to get as many of your team's blindfolded players through the minefield as quickly as possible, without stepping on any of the booby traps. Success requires excellent communication, trust, leadership and team coordination.
- Build trust and develop communication skills
- Practice process improvement
- Low-cost and loads of fun
- Perfect for 10-30 players
- Includes everything you need for a successful facilitation
HOW IT'S PLAYED
Goal: To get as many of your team’s players through the maze as quickly as possible without stepping on any of the obstacles/booby traps within the time limit.
Scoring: Teams gain one point for every player that moved completely through the maze without stepping on any of the obstacles/booby traps.
Winning: The team with the most points accumulated at the end of the game.
Timing: 5 to 7 minutes per round, 2 to 3 rounds per game. Expect approximately 45-55 minutes per average game
MATERIALS INCLUDED
- 24 Felt squares
- 10 Cones
- 8 Half-Pipes
- 1 Roll of Painters Blue Tape
- 20 Blindfolds
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The focus of this game is on building trust and managing complex tasks. To the degree that teams plan strategically and coordinate efforts, they can improve, collaborate and compete efficiently. Separate "rounds" are suggested for:
- Competitive Mode
- Collaborative Mode
- Inter-team Collaboration Mode
Debrief the experience to focus on topics of: Trust, Communication, Listening, Big team/Small team Collaboration, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Systems Integration, Creative Problem Solving
FACILITATION TIPS & GUIDELINES
Each team will need about 25 to 30 square feet of space to operate the program effectively. You can play indoors or out. If outside, always try to find level ground to avoid unfair play. Safety Check: Be sure to ask if anyone has any physical limitations that might prevent them from enjoying the game. If so, assign those players to act as “Strategic Observers” and carefully observe the results of players actions and behaviors and make direct honest constructive comments.
Timing will look something like this:
- Introduce game: 5-10 minutes
- Strategic planning I: 5-10 minutes
- Round 1 of Maze walking: 5-7 minutes
- Strategic planning II: 5-7 minutes
- Round 2 of Maze walking: 5-7 minutes
- Optional round three for strategizing and maze walking: 10-15 minutes
- Debrief: 15-30 minutes
Complete Facilitation Notes
The 10-page guide includes the following:
- Facilitator instructions
- Team set-up
- Number of players per team
- Number of teams on a single maze
- Player Rules
- Suggested "map" for creating the maze
- Debrief questions for Collaborative, Competitive, or Inter-team play
