Memory Exercise: Andy Says…

Purpose

This exercise helps delegates to memorise physical moves and also improve reaction times when a command is heard. The basic concept is very simple and can be easily applied to a variety of exercises, especially sport exercises. This activity is ideal for memorising specific moves or allowing participants to focus and concentrate.

Objective

Execute a particular move based on a specific command while avoiding the execution based on a wrong command.

What You Need

• An area large enough for carrying out physical exercises
• An optional prize

Setup

• Ask participants to line up.
• Explain that you are going to teach them a series of moves.
• Make a specific move. For example, raise your right hand and point forward. Call this move 1.
• Make another move. For example, put your left leg forward and then return to standing position. Call this move 2.
• Present 4 more moves.
• Now, state a move number and expect participants to correctly execute it.
• Randomly go back and forward between the various moves and expect participants to correctly follow the corresponding move.
• Next, explain that you are now going to add a twist. Let’s assume that your name is Andy. Explain that from now on if you say, “Andy says move 1” then participants must follow that move. If you say “Move 1”, then no one should move because you didn’t say, “Andy says…”.
• Let the fun begin by randomly saying “Move X”, “Andy says move X” where X is from 1 to 6 and expect participants to move only when you say “Andy says” and at no other time.
• After a warm up session when participants have made a few mistakes but got the idea, explain that you now want to do a little competition. From now on, if anyone makes a mistake, he or she is dropped out of the game and should leave the rest to stand on one side. The remaining participants would carry on until only one person is left which would be declared as the ultimate focused winner.
• Carry on stating the command until only one person is left.
• While going through the commands use challenging remarks that can catch people off-guard. For example, after a while when a few participants have dropped out, point to participants who are a bit further away from the others on the line and say, “Can you move closer a bit?”. Anyone who follows this command has made a mistake because you didn’t say, “Andy says can you move closer?” There will be lots of “Ahs and oohs”, but this will make the exercise more entertaining and memorable.
• You can optionally give a prize to the winner at the end.

Timing

Explaining the Exercise: 2 minutes

Activity: 10 minutes

Group Feedback: 0 minutes

Discussion

N/A