Copy Claps

1. In view of a few people around you, initiate one very confident, single clap.
2. In response to your non-verbal urgings, some of these people will clap once too.
3. Next, clap two times, and wait for even more members of your group to follow suit.
4. Continue to present a series of increasingly complex clapping motions/sounds, eventually enticing all of your group to mimic your actions.
5. End with a courteous series of claps that morph into applause.

Video Transcript for Copy Claps Energiser
presented by Nate Folan

(Leader claps to start Copy Claps energiser)

(Group claps)

(Leader claps two times)

(Group claps two times)

(Leader claps three times)

(Group claps three times)

(Leader claps eight times)

(Group claps eight times)

(Leader claps more to a beat)

(Group claps more to a beat)

(Continuing of leader and group clapping as part of Copy Claps energiser)

(Leader rubs hands together)

(Group rubs hands together)

(Leader snaps fingers)

(Group snaps fingers)

(Leader claps softly then loudly)

(Group claps softly then loudly)

(Leader stomps to change pattern of Copy Claps energiser)

(Group stomps)

(Leader clapping)

(Group clapping)

(Leader snapping)

(Group snapping)

(Snapping slows to conclude Copy Claps energiser)

Start… by saying nothing.

Simply get the attention of a few people around you and initiate your first simple, very confident single clap. Make it loud and proud.

For a good example, take a look at Nate in the Video Tutorial tab, as part of his presentation at Project Adventure‘s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2011.

Urged by your non-verbal gesture to follow-suit, most folks within ear-shot will clap too.

Then, respond with two claps (the group will mimic your actions) and then three claps with a flourish, etc. By now, your group will have caught on to what’s going on.

You whole object now is to continue to present a series of increasingly complex (yet still fun) claps and slaps (of forearms, thighs, feet, etc) until the group reaches a point of utter bemusement and can no longer keep up with you.

End with a courteous series of claps that morph into applause.

You will now have your group’s attention, they will be smiling, and no doubt eager to know what’s coming up next.

This is an ideal technique to use when seeking the attention of very large, noisy groups. I learned it during my eight seasons at summer camp and works like a treat.

This short and sweet exercise is clearly fun to be a part of, but it can also segue into a discussion about listening and observation skills, leadership and followership, etc.

Note, as this exercise is usually introduced without any introduction or fanfare, there is rarely any framing up front. But, having said that, it is true that you have to pick your group and your moment (and this is just another way of saying that your group must be prepared). For example, an audience expecting to be entertained will be more willing to follow your lead. Whereas, a group of teenagers unsure of where they fit in within the rest of their class are more likely to resist the urge to mimic you unless they think it’s cool to do so.

You could integrate Copy Claps as part of a well-designed SEL program to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships in your group.

Specifically, this activity offers opportunities to explore and practice the following social & interpersonal skills:

Self-Awareness

• Experiencing Self-Efficacy

Self-Management

• Demonstrating Self-Discipline & Self-Motivation
• Setting Personal & Group Goals

Relationship Skills

• Communicate & Listen Effectively
• Build Positive Relationships
• Work Collaboratively

Responsible Decision-Making

• Anticipating & Evaluating the Consequences of One’s Actions
• Promoting Personal & Collective Well-Being

You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.

There is no specific health & wellness perspective to this activity other than promoting the benefits of being a part of an experience in which everyone is in sync.

In a small way, you could argue that the focus required of your group to successfully keep the beat speaks to the benefits of being mindful insofar as it requires everyone to focus on one thing at a time. You could also reflect on the connection between a group’s success and the extent to which the individual members follow or adhere to its leadership. For example, you could ask questions such as:

• What happens when a group does not follow the lead of its leader?
• Who is at fault when a group does not or chooses not to follow their leader’s actions?

If you can think of more explicit ways in which Copy Claps could be purposefully integrated into a health and wellness program, please leave a comment at the base of this page.

• Cacophony Of Sounds: The sky’s the limit – introduce a variety of sounds from whistles, thigh-slaps, hoots and hollering! Just make it fun.
• Attention Grabber: Used simply as an attention-getter, try this… “IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, CLAP ONCE” [clap x 1] “IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, CLAP THREE TIMES” [clap, clap, clap] “IF YOU CAN HEAR ME CLAP TWO TIMES” [clap, clap] and so on. Ask for a different number of claps each time (to test the listeners), and within about four or five rounds, you’ll have your group’s attention without having to raise your voice.
• Open the Virtual Adaptation tab to learn how to present this activity online.

• Provided your group has switched on their speakers, this exercise can be equally effective at gaining the attention of your virtual participants as if they were physically standing in front of you. Owing to internet lag and single-channel sound bytes, you can not expect the same aural experience as you would with an in-person group, but your primary purpose is to re-focus your group in a fun and engaging way.

This exercise is best ‘framed’ when you want your group’s attention, but you don’t want to raise your voice (see Variations tab.)

It’s also a brilliant technique to open an event in a non-verbal manner, especially if there is a lot of people buzzing with anticipation in the auditorium.

Coupled with one or more reflection strategies, here are some sample questions you could use to process your group’s experience after playing this creative ice-breaker activity:

• In the first few moments, what were you thinking?
• How long did it take you to figure out what was going on?
• Did you observe any resistance to participate?
• How did it feel when everyone was imitating the leader’s movements?
• What would it be like if your [group] could operate in a similar unified manner?

Introductory ‘Ice-Breaker’ Session

What You Need:
8+ people, 10 mins

• Copy Claps – brilliant, non-verbal opener to any program, conference or gathering
• Five Handshakes in Five Minutes – highly interactive, zany greeting game
• Let Me Introduce – simple, non-threatening mixing & greeting exercise

Fun & Interactive ‘Community-Building’ Games Session

What You Need:
12+ people, 45 mins, chairs for everyone

• Copy Claps – brilliant, non-verbal opener which to attract your group’s focus
• Name Impulse – very simple name-game which seeks to set a new world record
• One Duck – contagiously fun circle game which is harder than it seems
• All My Neighbours – fun circle game which will reveal more than just laughs