Sling Jam
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Sling Jam – Innovation Under Pressure Team Challenge
Estimated Time: 25–30 minutes
Group Size: Two teams of 8–12 participants
Best for: Strategic thinking, collaboration, innovation, leadership, problem-solving
Introduction
This high-energy team challenge simulates how innovation happens under pressure, emphasizing the importance of execution, collaboration, and resource management for success. Teams navigate a “hazardous” path using limited cardboard “safe zones” while adapting to setbacks and strict rules. Participants experience firsthand how leadership, creativity, and team support drive progress and overcome obstacles.
Materials Needed
- Masking tape
- Several sturdy cardboard “steps”: 3 small (fit 1 person), 3 large (fit 2 people)
- Open floor space (30–40 feet long and wide enough for 3 people across)
- Stopwatch or timer (optional)
- Visual markers or cones to designate start and finish lines (optional)
Setup Instructions
- Using masking tape, mark two side-by-side race paths, 30 to 40 feet long and wide enough for 3 participants across.
- Divide the group into two equal teams of 8–12 participants.
- Designate a shared starting point at one end of the taped area.
- Place the cardboard steps at the start for teams to use as “safe zones.”
- Facilitators should ensure a clear, safe area for moving and waiting; consider having a resting area.
- Provide clear roles or encourage teams to assign roles like strategist, communicator, and leader to enhance collaboration.
- Allow 5–7 minutes of pre-game planning time before starting the challenge.
Challenge Rules
- The floor between the start and finish lines is “contaminated”—participants cannot touch it directly.
- Players may only use their cardboard “steps” to move forward.
- Each team gets 3 small cardboard steps (1-person capacity) and 3 large cardboard steps (2-person capacity).
- If a step is left unmanned (not occupied by a player) for more than 2–3 seconds, it “disintegrates” and must be removed from play.
- The first team to successfully get all players across the finish line wins.
- Verbal communication is encouraged, but facilitators can introduce rounds with restricted communication for a variation.
Trainer Tips for Facilitation
- Observe carefully and remove any cardboard steps left unguarded too long to maintain tension and urgency.
- Allow controlled chaos; it creates rich teachable moments for leadership and teamwork reflection.
- Use a stopwatch or timer to track progress or add time pressure.
- Record notes on leadership dynamics, communication styles, problem-solving strategies, and resilience during setbacks.
- Encourage teams to iterate and adjust strategies as they lose or gain steps.
Debrief & Reflection Questions
- What strategies did your team use to navigate the challenge?
- Which ideas were embraced or rejected? Why?
- Who emerged as leaders, and how did the team respond?
- How did your team adapt after losing cardboard steps?
- What lessons about resource loss and obstacle management relate to your workplace?
- How did emotional responses to pressure and setbacks affect teamwork and creativity?
- What communication methods proved most effective?
Learning Outcomes
- Gain insight into how teams adapt and perform under pressure and changing conditions.
- Understand the tight relationship between innovation, communication, and follow-through.
- Recognize the importance of shared leadership and flexible strategic planning.
- Appreciate how creativity and collaboration must align when constraints and obstacles arise.
Variations to Enhance the Challenge
- Adjust the disintegration timer for cardboard steps to make the game harder or easier.
- Introduce rounds where verbal communication is restricted to develop non-verbal coordination and trust.
- Add “resource acquisition” tasks mid-game, such as earning extra steps through mini-challenges.
- Rotate team roles during the challenge to expose participants to different leadership and collaboration positions.
Related Training Material Packages
-
Team Building Training Package
Equip your teams with activities that strengthen trust, collaboration, and effective problem-solving. -
Creative Problem Solving & Decision Making Training Package
Learn proven approaches to foster innovation, decision-making agility, and strategic thinking within your teams. -
Emotional Intelligence Training Package
Build self-awareness, empathy, and resilience to improve leadership and teamwork under pressure.
Get Started with Sling Jam Today
This dynamic challenge is a powerful experiential tool that fosters innovation, leadership, and strategic collaboration. Pair it with our expert training packages to build resilient, creative, and high-performing teams ready to thrive in complex environments.
Download Creative Problem Solving & Decision Making PackageTraining resources from TrainingCourseMaterial.com — instant download, fully editable, trainer-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space do we need?
Plan for two lanes of 30–40 feet (9–12 meters) and enough width for three people across per lane. Shorten lanes if space is tight.
What’s a fair way to score?
First full team across wins. Tie-breakers: fewest step losses, fastest time, or best collaboration (observer votes).
Can we adapt for smaller groups?
Yes—run one lane, use fewer steps, or reduce team size to 5–6 and time each run.
Any safety guidelines?
Ban running, use non-slip surfaces, spot participants when stepping, and clear the path of obstacles.
How do we debrief quickly?
Use a 3–3–3: three observations, three lessons, three commitments for next week.
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