The Sound Ball Activity

The Sound Ball is a simple icebreaker activity that energizes participants, and it’s also suitable for highlighting spontaneity and teamwork. The activity involves participants standing in a circle and throwing imaginary ball(s) to each other in increasing pace.

When throwing the first ball, the person starting should make a special sound that has to be repeated by the catcher upon receiving the ball. Once the ball is being thrown around at a fairly brisk pace, you can introduce another imaginary ball and start throwing it.

Ask players to stand in a circle. Pretend to hold a ball in your hand.

“Show” this imaginary ball to everyone. Tell players that they will be throwing this ball around.

Explain that you are going to throw the ball to one of the players. Before you throw the ball, you will make a special sound.

Instruct everyone to keep their eyes on the ball and get ready to catch it. Before catching the ball, the player should make the same sound that you made.

Make a sound and “throw” the ball to someone. Make sure that this player makes the same sound and catches the ball.

Explain that the catcher can now throw the player to any other player, making a new sound as the ball is thrown.

The receiving player repeats the sound and catches the ball. This player throws the ball to any other player, making a new sound.

Once the ball is being thrown around at a fairly brisk pace, introduce another imaginary ball and start throwing it.

When the group gets proficient at it, you can have three or four balls in play.

As a brainstorming session, all sounds are fine. Since there are no “good” and “bad” sounds, this is an opportunity to throw sounds without worrying about whether they are crazy or stupid.

The topics of this publication: interactions, active listening, improvise, integration, foster relationships, creativity