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Activity Ideas 4 Feb 25 0 Comments

What is a 5-Minute TEAM ENERGISER that Makes People Laugh?

By
Experiential Trainer, Author & Speaker

The Ultimate Five-Minute Team Energiser

Are you looking for a quick, fun, and engaging team energiser to wake up your group and get them interacting? Whether you’re running a meeting, leading a workshop, or facilitating a group event, a great icebreaker can set the tone for collaboration and laughter.

I’m excited to share Gotcha—a high-energy group game that takes just a few minutes but delivers maximum fun.

I first learned this activity over 40 years ago in my youth group, thanks to my leader, Ron. Since then, I’ve used it countless times to engage groups, trigger bursts of laughter, and even teach an important life skill.

Ready to learn how to play? Click play below or continue reading…

In this Post…

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What Makes a Great Team Energiser?

Before we jump into the details of Gotcha, let’s talk about what makes an energiser truly effective. The best energisers are those which:

  1. Re-energize the group – Whether it wakes them up or refreshes their minds, a good energiser shifts the focus and changes the tone.
  2. Encourage interaction and trust – Great group games get people talking, moving, and engaging with each other.
  3. Are simple yet impactful – The best activities don’t require extensive materials or complex rules.

Gotcha checks all three boxes—and then some!

How to Play Gotcha

I first learned Gotcha from my youth group leader, Ron, over 40 years ago.

Since then, I’ve used it countless times to wake up groups, engage them, and get them laughing.

Game Setup

  1. Invite each person to find a partner or stand in a circle (this game works with any group size.)
  2. Each participant extends their left hand, palm up, as if holding a tray.
  3. Their right hand’s index finger is placed in the palm of the person next to their right.
  4. Now, everyone is linked – one hand holding a palm upwards, the other resting in someone else’s palm.
Large circle adults playing Gotcha

The Objective

When you say the magic word – GO!each player must try to catch the finger in their left palm while simultaneously avoiding their right finger being caught.

It’s a split-second reaction game that triggers laughter and surprises every time.

Repeat & Refine

  1. Some players might be confused in the first round, so go for another round immediately. Indeed, several rounds if you have the time.
  2. I like to add suspense by delaying when I say “GO!”
  3. Emphasize listening skills – an essential lesson in life and teamwork, and one that I am sure you could easily integrate into your specific curriculum.

Variations To Keep It Fresh

Repetition can get dull, so here are some variations to keep the game exciting:

  1. Switch Hands – Use the right hand as the tray and the left hand as the pointer.
  2. Expand the Group – Start with pairs, then combine groups into fours, then eights, until the whole team plays together in a large circle.
  3. Upside-Down Challenge – Flip the hand positioning, so the finger points upwards instead of resting in the palm.
  4. Crossed Arms Twist – The left-hand holds a tray for the person on the right, and the right-hand pointer finger goes into the palm of the person on the left, creating crossed arms chaos!
  5. The Impossible Challenge – Try catching the finger in your right palm using only your left hand—it’s a brain teaser that no one ever gets right, and that’s the fun of it!

Why Gotcha Works So Well

This simple yet powerful icebreaker game achieves several things at once:

  1. It’s engaging – Everyone participates, and there’s no standing around.
  2. It builds trust – Groups bond over shared laughter and quick reflexes.
  3. It teaches active listening – Players must stay alert to hear the start command.
  4. It’s endlessly adaptable – You can tweak the setup to keep things fresh.

Whether you’re leading a corporate workshop, a classroom, or a social event, Gotcha is a go-to team energiser that guarantees smiles.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re leading a workshop, facilitating a training, or just looking for a quick way to break the ice, Gotcha is an easy and effective way to boost energy and engagement.

Try it out with your team and watch the laughter unfold!

And when you run out of variations, contact me and I’ll share some new ideas with you 🙂

Have fun!

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Original post February 2025, last updated February 2025.

By - Experiential Trainer, Author & Speaker

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