Rock, Paper, Scissors: Five Lives

1. Ask your group to form into pairs.
2. Clearly establish a standard ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ protocol for everyone to follow.
3. Explain that everyone starts by standing on their two feet, facing their partner.
4. By demonstration, explain that with each round played, the winner goes up one level, and the loser goes down one level.
5. Explain that upon the first loss, the loser will kneel on one knee.
6. From this position, a further loss will mean the loser will then kneel on two knees.
7. A further loss, the loser then sits on their bottom, then another loss lies on their back.
8. Finally, a loss from the lying-on-back position will mean this player is eliminated.

This is a wonderful variation that injects a little longevity into the classic ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ game. Because, let’s face it, it’s not much fun when you’re eliminated in the first round of this (or indeed, any) game.

Ask each person in your group to find someone who is wearing similar coloured socks, or announce some other random method to form into pairs (see Getting Into Pairs for ideas).

By way of demonstration, ask for a volunteer to be your partner, and establish – for the benefit of your group – a common ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ protocol. You know, clenched fists bounced up and down three times, and on three, each person forms a rock, paper or scissors with their hand to establish a winner.

Explain that each pair is invited to play as many rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors as is necessary until one person loses a round from the fifth and lowest level of competition. There are five levels from which a player can compete, and with every round the winner goes up one level, and the loser goes down one level.

The highest (and starting) level is standing on two feet. A loss from this position will mean the player will kneel down on one knee. A loss from this position will mean the player must now kneel on two knees. However, note, that a player who wins from the kneeling-on-one-knee position will go up one level to return to standing on two feet.

A loss from the kneeling-on-two-knees position, will cause the loser to sit on their bottom. A loss from this position will have them lying flat on their back (but still able to play). And then from this rather vulnerable position, a further loss will end the match, causing this person to spread eagle out on the floor.

Everyone starts from the standing position, and play begins. Expect lots of energy, laughter and squeals of delight as the games progress.

Remind your group that with every round played, the winner goes up a level, and the loser goes down a level. It’s not a simple matter of only having five lives (despite the name of the game).

Think carefully about where you present this exercise. Naturally, as some people will end up lying on their backs, choosing a comfortable, harm-free surface is recommended.

• Set up the game as an elimination, whereby the winners of each pair of players remain to compete with another winner. The last person standing wins.
• If asking your group to lie on their backs is not appropriate, or asking too much, present the game with only three levels (kneel on one knee, two knees, sitting on bottom, then out). Or, introduce a series of alternative levels, such as standing on two feet, standing on one foot, sitting down on a chair, crossing yours legs, etc.
• Take a look at Ro Sham Bo Congo.

Did you now that much of the world knows ‘Rock-Paper-Scissors’ as ‘Ro-Sham-Bo?’ – the game is often referred to as such in honour of Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, compte de Rochambeau, French hero of American Revolution. Rochambeau was present in York when General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. It is believed that Washington, Cornwallis and Rochambeau played ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ to decide who would be the last to leave Cornwallis’ tent after the exchange of formalities. At the time, it was considered most honourable to be last. Rochambeau ‘won’ the game, and it has been known as Ro-Sham-Bo ever since!

Did you know that there are professional ‘Rock, Paper, Scissor’ Leagues around the world, and first prize can fetch as much as USD$50,000? Perhaps we’re in the wrong business, but let’s practice the highly refined art that is Rock, Paper & Scissors…