The No-Equipment Energiser:
Space Counting

I first learned this energiser from my mentor, Karl Rohnke.

Over the years, I’ve adapted it and used it successfully with hundreds of groups all over the world.

Here’s how it works:

• Ask everyone to find a partner (ideally someone they don’t know well).
• Invite each pair to stand facing each other.
• One person uses their index finger to “draw” the numbers 1 to 30 in the air – think of it like writing on an invisible whiteboard.
• Both people race to write the numbers as quickly as possible using their fingers.

It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s competitive.

When someone reaches 30, they punch the air to signal they’ve finished – and if they get there first, they win.

This takes no more than 30 to 60 seconds to explain and play, and it’s guaranteed to get your group laughing and energised.

Variation 1: Collaborative Tracing

Want to take things from competitive to cooperative?

Here’s a great variation:

• One partner writes numbers slowly (maybe up to 10 or 15).
• Their partner must trace the exact path of their partner’s finger in real time.

They’re not writing the number themselves – they’re tracing the path taken by their partner as they write the numbers.

This creates an entirely different level of engagement.

You’ll notice how much more focus and concentration are required, especially as people realise that everyone draws numbers differently.

After the round, you can ask:

• What did you notice?
• Which numbers were harder to trace?
• How did your partner’s style differ from yours?

Then, of course, switch roles so everyone has a turn as both the drawer and the tracer.