Contents

F.1. Preamble

Games
F.2. Wall Crash
F.3. Conveyor Belt
F.4. Pile Up
F.5. Blind Find
F.6. Control Tower
F.7. Backward Fall and Catch
F.8. Still Pond
F.9. Body Lift
F.10. Trust Walk
F.11. Blind Explore
F.12. Vibrations

F.13. Related Games

F.1. Preamble

Trust games are constructive both for the individual and for the group as a whole and will help the group move along as it begins to crystallize. They are frequently used in situations where members will need to rely on everyone's full cooperation (drama, sport), because they address support behavior.

Trust games require experienced facilitators, but they are also fun to play, because they are more physical. The movement and outcomes will ease tension and they are therefore helpful in enhancing group development.

These games can be used individually, or as a “Trust Games Evening.”

F.2. Wall Crash

This is a good jump-start to trust-building,: one of its advantages is that it is based on forward movement; another is that it allows individual contact, rather than using the group en masse.

Trust develops through a feeling of safety each time the person is caught by the “safety nets,” so that, in the end, members feel safe even when running.

Have the whole group form a line facing a wall, a few meters away.
The leader names two people to act as safety nets. They stand near the wall opposite the line.
The person at the front of the line walks, eyes closed, toward the wall. The “Safety nets” catch each person before he or she hits the wall.
After each person has had a turn at a walking pace, the pace is speeded up on each turn, until group members are running at full speed.

F.3. Conveyor Belt

Set up two lines of people facing each other (about two feet apart). Try to have people of similar height opposite one another.

The first couple detaches and one person lies down on his or her back between first six/eight people in both lines.

The person is lifted to head height and is then slowly passed down the whole length of the chain and is carefully lowered to the ground at the end.

Better results are obtained if the person relaxes and closes his or her eyes.

F.4 Pile Up

This game is an all-group experience in trust-building, which is simple to run, fun to play (not for playing in good clothes!) and helpful to cohesion and trust. The leader should clear all known obstacles in the area beforehand and watch the process carefully, to prevent minor accidents.

Members of the group lie on their stomachs and close their eyes.
All start crawling toward a central point and they meet. They should crawl over each other until pile starts to form in the center.
When the pile is complete, everyone can open their eyes.

Variation:
Blindfold “bumps”. Group is blindfolded and walks to the center to form a knot.

F.5. Blind Find

Many trust games use elements of dark or simulated blindness to create opportunities for building personal trust. This introductory game requires careful clearing of all obstacles to prevent accidents.

The leader(s) should push all furniture out of the way and darken the room. Explain that everyone should close their eyes and begin walking slowly around the room silently. When people meet they should greet each other non-verbally and move on.

After a trial of a few minutes, the leader gives a series of instructions and allows some time for the group members to follow through, for example:
- Find someone with hair as long as yours.
- Find someone with feet as big as yours.
- Find someone with arms the same length as yours.
- Find someone with a nose like yours.

F.6. Control Tower

This is another simulated blindness trust game, but with pairs, which is slightly more challenging in terms of testing and building trust, which is why the roles are reversed half-way. It is therefore important to explain that this is to be played with care: some people find the experience rather hair-raising if played on rough grass or ground, so it is best played in a previewed environment.

The review helps group members gain an awareness of their trust.

Set up an obstacle course of rows of chairs and tables in the room and have group members choose a partner. One member of the pair is asked to put on a blindfold.
The blindfolded partner goes through an obstacle course, with the sighted person acts as the guide.
When half the group has been through the course, the sighted person puts on the blindfold and a new course is created.
Review the experience and feelings of participants when blindfold first and guiding first; compare with the feelings of those who played the game the other way around.

F.7. Backward Fall and Catch

This standard trust game is remarkably challenging, which is why the group must be ready for it (choosing partners of their choice) and the leader needs to keep a close eye on reactions of participants.Once again, this is a one-to-one experience, but it does test and build greater trust in a crystallizing group.

Have group members find a partner and the group forms an inner circle and an outer circle, so that partners stand at about one meter distance, as if one person were behind the other. Both circles should be facing inwards.
The person in the inner circle allows himself or herself to fall back and be caught by ther partner. The front person must be relaxed. Distance can be varied within a safe limit.

Reverse the roles.

F.8 Still Pond

One blindfold is required for this game and a volunteer. Have the blindfolded person stand in the center.
Everyone else moves around until the blindfolded group member says, “Still Pond.”
He or she then moves forward and explores a face, guesses who it is. If the guess is right, the volunteer takes off blindfold; if not, he or she tries again.

Variation:
As he moves forward, people make music or noises, while he or she searches for a specific person. (For example, “I’m going to find David", etc.)

F.9. Body Lift

This is a good trust activity for a really large group with several leaders, as well as for a normal activity group. If carefully presented and conducted, it will be fun, as well as generating trust and good feelings.

Split into groups of eight to ten members.
Each sub-group chooses one member at a time and elevates him or her to a horizontal position above the heads of the group. The person should be held there for a specific period, and then lowered carefully to the floor. The elevated person must relax and close his or her eyes.

It is a good idea to have all the groups raise and lower in unison, by calling "Raise up" and "Set down". This avoids confusion and helps concentration.

Variations:
Vary speed and control of lift – walk, rock, etc.
Have the person involved give instructions to the group.

F.10. Trust Walk

This is a longer trust game, an extension of the ideas and factors in F.5. Control Tower.

It is based on multiple elements to test and build trust: blindness simulation, silence, unknown terrain. For this reason, participants take a partner of tbeir choice and roles are reversed mid-way.

Preparation:
Blindfolds (optional), outdoor area preferred (reasonable surface required).
Emphasize that this is a non-verbal, non-visual experience, using one's other senses.
Ask group members to choose a partner that they would like to know better.
In each pair, A closes his/her eyes (or is blindfolded). They can communicate with each other only through touch.
B leads and helps him/her to experience the world around through the other senses. B is to protect the partner, show him or her how gentle he/she can be, and try to give the partner a truly beautiful experience.
After 15-20 minutes, have them switch roles. After an equal time, A leads B back to the starting point.
Each pair discusses their experience by themselves, then joins the group.
Lead a round of “I discovered…”

F.11. Blind Explore

This is a variation which allows free connection and therefore a wide range of trust opportunities.
A non-verbal game, with blind simulation and a great deal of gentle feeling.

Darken the room if possible and have everyone close their eyes. Group members begin moving slowly, gently and silently around the room. (No talking: emphasize it is non-verbal).
As members meet people, they should greet them gently in a non-verbal manner and move on.
After a few minutes, have them stop in front of someone and explore their face. Allow a long time for this. Ask them to say goodbye non-verbally and move on.
Continue with the same directions, and others: e.g., explore hands, play games with hands, be angry and fight with hands, now make up, explore backs, hair, etc.
End with group hug in the center.

F.12. Vibrations

This is a quick touchy-feely trust game and can be used to begin a session, or in winding up.

Divide the group into pairs.
Announce: “Bring your two hands close to your partner’s two hands (palm to palm) until they are almost touching.
Close your eyes and experience the sensation of warmth, or energy.
Now, experiment with distances.”

Variations:
Try with a blindfold: discuss the effect.
Use faces instead of palms.
Play in a circle.

F.13. Related Games