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To Do with
Ropes
THINGS
To Do with
Ropes
overview
This rope kit has multiple applications, all using pieces of rope. These ideas are a
starting point. Use your own creativity to find more uses for these props.
Mergers is a group initiative problem with a unique and unexpected solution
requiring thinking out-of-the-box and breaking paradigms.
Spaghetti Junction (a.k.a. To Be Or Not To Be) is a small group initiative that
focuses on observation, decision-making and building consensus.
The Almost Infinite Circle is a challenging problem for two people,
sometimes used in Mastermind (a kit that includes a variety of brain teaser
types of activities).
Rope Tricks (Nine Lines, Five Triangles, Eight Pieces of Pie, Squarely, 6 From 9)
are adaptations of Mastermind activities commonly done on paper. By using
the ropes, you change the problem to a physical task that requires teamwork
and problem solving, and you make the tasks bigger and more visible which
enhances participation. When using Mastermind activities, presenting a
combination of mental, paper-oriented puzzles balanced with some hands-on
problems usually produces the best results.
The ropes can also be used for:
marking spots for the initiative Traffic Jam (Silver Bullets, p.98)
extra obstacles for a 3-D Minefield set-up (Quicksilver, p. 146)
to connect people for Traveling Moonball (Quicksilver, p. 206)
CAUTION: Due to the thin diameter of these ropes, if two people are holding a
rope section as a connector, caution them to be careful of rope burns which may
occur if they hold the rope tightly and allow it to slide through their hands.
THINGS
To Do with
Ropes
mergers
the props
Ropes
Ideally, one rope per person works best and provides maximum participation.
Rope can be cut to different lengths to adjust the difficulty of the activity.
This kit contains:
The longer ten-, fifteen- and twenty-foot pieces can be used for the final
circle with larger groups.
Each length of rope is a different color to aid in choosing which pieces to use for
a specific group.
SetUp
Ask each person to take a rope, tie the ends together to form a loop, place the
loop on the floor somewhere in the room, and stand with both feet inside the
loop.
Now youre ready to explain the rules and begin the activity.
the rules
The GOAL: To keep all members of the group safe at all times. Safe means
having both feet inside a rope loop.
INSTRUCTORS NOTE: Specify feet must be inside the loop [the easier
solution] OR on the floor inside the loop [the harder solution]. Either
option is acceptable but the challenge is very different depending on which
rule you choose.
This write-up outlines the rules feet on the ground inside the loop.
1. All participants must start with both feet on the ground inside a loop.
3. Participants are safe only when they have both feet on the ground inside
a loop. If anyone is unsafe at any time, the activity cannot move forward
until all people are safe again.
4. Loops may not be moved, untied or re-tied once they have been placed
on the floor. (People may adjust the loops to fit better around their feet
once they have stepped inside the loop.)
5. People may walk on the floor freely as they move from one loop to
another.
The Action
Start the activity by calling the first Change. Allow sufficient time for people
to move and find a new loop.
As you call subsequent changes, remove one or more loops (as appropriate)
with each command. Observe and monitor if people are safe before giving the
next command.
The end result is to remove all the loops and have everyone fit inside the last
remaining loop. If, at any point, someone is not safe, allow time for the group to
devise a solution to create safety for all before giving the next command.
Briefing
Sample briefing scenarios could be:
SCHOOL:
Each person starts in his/her own comfort zone, i.e., inside an individual
rope loop. As we encounter changes in our environment, we need to
become comfortable moving out of our comfort zones and taking risks.
Each change we encounter will be signified by the command Change.
When you hear this command, you must leave your present circle and move
to another loop if one is available. If at any time an individual cannot find
a loop or cannot put both feet inside the loop and be safe, the activity will
stop until all team members are safe. Only when everyone is safe can the
school move effectively forward and make progress.
BUSINESS:
Each person starts in his/her job, yet we are all connected in achieving
the companys goals. As we move through the restructuring effort, we will
encounter constant change and need to understand how to move quickly
and easily into new positions and develop new relationships with one
another.
henever you hear the change command or whenever someone calls out
W
an impending change from work, you must leave your current loop and
find a new one if one is available. In order to be successful, we all need to
remain safe in the workplace so our company cannot proceed unless all
team members are safe inside a loop.
Debriefing
Debriefing questions should always be connected to both the goals of the
group and the briefing scenario.
The following questions could frame a debrief:
Initially, how did people respond to the changes? Was your focus on me
or on we?
What motivated your behavior at the outset? What consequences did
that behavior produce?
As the number of loops decreased, what impact did that have on the
groups response? What impact did you see in others?
At any point, did the activity seemingly become impossible? What was
the response of the group?
What did it take for the group to overcome this situation?
What can we learn from this activity about how we manage problems
that seem to lack ready solutions?
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THINGS
To Do with
Ropes
SPAGHETTI JUNCTION
a.k.a. 2B OR NOT 2B created by Dr. Jim Cain [published in Book of Metaphors -Vol. 2]
Issues and Outcomes
Typically the following issues emerge with this activity:
Decision Making
Consensus Building
Observation and Testing Perceptions
The props
It is best to place the ropes on the floor, table or whatever work surface is
available before the group arrives to do the activity. This technique insures that
the ropes are laid out appropriately and no one can observe which rope is the
connector during the setup.
the rules
The GOAL: For the group to determine which rope links all the rest of the loops.
The group must choose only one rope and all the participants must agree on
the rope chosen.
2. Participants are free to move around the ropes, to point and share their
opinions. The group must agree to selecting only one rope before the
problem is completed.
3. Once a rope has been selected by the group, it may be worth asking one
of these questions before checking the accuracy of the solution:
The Action
As the group works on this problem, watch and listen carefully. Make note of:
Groups will proceed differently with this problem. Some groups may focus on
finding the one rope, trying to verify which rope is the one they want to find.
Other groups may attempt to disqualify ropes, i.e., find a solution by process of
elimination.
variiations
To adjust the challenge level of this activity, have three sets of ropes available.
THINGS
To Do with
Ropes
The props
Tie a loop at both ends of each long rope (i.e., after tying two shorter
ropes together) using a slip knot so that the loop can be lengthened and
shortened.
Ask one person to slip both loops over their wrists and tighten them so
that they will not fall off easily. NOTE: The loop should be loose enough
that you can slide a flat hand under the loop while it is on your wrist.
This is for comfort but has nothing to do with the problem.
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Ask the second person to slip on one loop. Before putting on the second
loop, pass your rope under the rope of the other person so that they
are intertwined, i.e., the ropes should be crossed and interconnected so
that the pair cannot walk away from each other the rope links them
together.
Once the two are linked together, the activity can begin.
The rules
The participants are free to ask questions during the activity and the instructor
should freely answer them while giving encouragement that a solution exists.
The solution
It is helpful to see this solution; dont be stymied if you dont get it from this
description.
2. Pass this bight under either of your wrist loops so that the bight portion
is closest to your fingers.
3. Pull the bight through the loop and open it to a size that will pass over
your partners hand.
4. Pass the bight over or under (depending on if you passed the bight from
over or under your partners wrist) your partners hand and pull it back
through the loop.
5. Youre free!! If NOT, read the solution again carefully and try it a second
time.
During the action, it can be very helpful to have a coach available to answer
questions and provide some guidance without revealing the solution. This
activity would lend itself well to coaching from individuals who know the
solution.
INSTRUCTORS NOTE: If people reach a point of quitting, providing
encouragement and hints or tips may be appropriate.
It is highly recommended that all participants be shown the solution before
the program ends so that everyone knows that a solution exists.
Briefing
This activity is often presented as a problem that appears impossible.
Identify for the group that they have a very difficult problem to solve. Ask them
to share ideas and problem solving techniques to maximize the success of the
group.
Debriefing
Debriefing questions should always be connected to both the goals of the
group and the briefing scenario.
If used as a stand-alone activity, the following questions could frame a debrief:
How did participants try to solve the problem? What steps did people
take?
Did participants experience frustration? What impact did it have on your
pair? on you?
Did you reach a point of wanting to quit? What caused that feeling?
What did you do to move past that point? Did you seek help?
What can we learn from this activity about managing difficult problems
and dealing with frustration?
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THINGS
To Do with
Ropes
rope tricks
[adapted from Mastermind Kit]
Issues and Outcomes
Mastermind is typically presented as a combination of mental and physical
challenges, all of which emphasize creative problem solving (i.e., divergent
thinking). A group must organize itself to solve as many problems as possible in
the time frame. Mastermind requires organization as well as creativity.
Typically the following issues can emerge when using this activity:
The props
The setups
Each activity is described separately. Briefing and Debriefing suggestions are
then outlined collectively at the end of the write-up.
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five triangles
The rules
OBJECTIVE: Moving only five of the nine rope
pieces, create five triangles.
SOLUTION:
SQUARELY
The rules
OBJECTIVE: How many squares are contained
in this figure?
SOLUTION:
30 is the correct answer.
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nine lnes
The rules
OBJECTIVE: Add five lines to the six on the floor
to make a total of nine.
SOLUTION: Place the five un-used rope pieces
in the positions marked by the dotted lines.
The rules
OBJECTIVE: Making only three lines, divide the
circle into eight sections using only the three
unconnected rope pieces.
The circle ropes may not be untied. The circle
cannot be altered.
SOLUTION: The key element is that one line is
not straight.
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6 FROM 9
solution is not correct or not acceptable, the team may continue to work on that
problem to achieve a satisfactory answer. The team should focus not only on
finding solutions but also on identifying ways to prevent or overcome people
feeling stuck and unable to make progress.
While you are solving the Spiders Web, your team must also complete these
tasks. For each correct solution that you achieve, your team can earn extra time
for completion of the Web. The group is responsible for monitoring its time and
managing how it uses its resources to achieve solutions for all the activities.
While the Web is bigger and more visible, the smaller puzzles are viewed as
equally important by your leader so it is important that your team not forget or
neglect the other problems before you.
*Note on Site Central Activities
Site Central activities are complex and challenging scenarios for any group.
They should be used only when managing multiple levels of communication
and clarity of roles and responsibilities are relevant to the groups goals, and the
group has demonstrated an ability to handle more complex scenarios.
Site Central setups usually divide the group into two smaller units: a
Management Team of 3-6 people that is located away from the initiative site,
and a Task Team that is actually solving the initiative. The details of these
scenarios are complex and demanding for both instructor and the team. It is
recommended that you experience this type of activity before leading one.
Site Central variations work well with large groups and when bringing multiple
groups together to work on a final initiative.
Debriefing
Debriefing questions should always be connected to both the goals of the group
and the briefing scenario.
The following questions could frame a debrief of Mastermind activities:
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How did this team use its creativity? What techniques did it use to seek
out-of-the-box solutions?
What did the group learn from this exercise that would be helpful in
solving future problems?
INSTRUCTORS NOTE: With all these activities, the suggested topics and
sample questions are intended as guidelines and suggestions; they offer a
framework for structuring a briefing and a debrief. Obviously, other topics
and issues may emerge as well and instructors need to adjust and focus on
the topics that are important for that particular group at that time, based on
the groups and individuals goals.
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