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#37 Easy

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

A high-energy elimination tournament where losers become cheerleaders for winners. Two final teams face off with massive cheering crowds. Perfect for large groups.

large-group energizer active fun quick no-prep movement

Group Size:

20-200+ people

Duration:

10-20 minutes

Difficulty:

Easy

How to Play:

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament - How to Play
  1. 1

    Clear space for movement, start upbeat background music - no materials needed

  2. 2

    Everyone finds a partner nearby and plays rock-paper-scissors (best 2 out of 3)

  3. 3

    The loser becomes the winner's cheerleader - follow them and chant their name

  4. 4

    Winners find other winners to battle, bringing their entire cheerleading squad

  5. 5

    Squads merge when their champion loses - energy escalates as crowds grow

  6. 6

    Keep playing until only 2 people remain, each with a massive crowd of supporters

  7. 7

    Epic finale: Two finalists face off while their teams cheer wildly - count down 3-2-1!

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

Turn a simple childhood game into an epic team experience. As players get eliminated, they join the winner’s cheering squad. By the finale, you have two people battling with 100+ people cheering for each side. Guaranteed to energize any room.

Best For:

Conference kickoffs, all-hands meetings, large team events, school assemblies

Pro Tips

  • Demonstrate the rules first with a quick example match

  • Play high-energy music (upbeat, recognizable songs work best)

  • Model enthusiastic cheering yourself to set the tone

  • Encourage creative chants - not just names, add rhythm!

  • Have finalists stand on chairs or stage for better visibility

  • For 100+ people, use a microphone to explain rules

  • If odd numbers, extra person gets 'bye' and waits for next winner

  • Ties? Play one more round immediately

  • Low energy? Restart music louder, demonstrate cheering again

Variations

  • Speed Tournament: Single round matches (not best of 3) - finishes in 5-7 minutes

  • Team Merge Mode: Start with pre-formed teams of 4-5, teams play as units and merge when they lose

  • Championship Series: Run tournament 3 times, track who makes finals each time

  • Virtual Adaptation: Use Zoom breakout rooms for rounds, emoji reactions replace cheering (works for 20-50 online)

FAQ

How long does it take with 100 people?
About 10-15 minutes. The tournament moves fast because half the players are eliminated each round. The self-organizing nature means you don't need to manage brackets.
What if there's an odd number of people?
The extra person gets a 'bye' and automatically advances to find a new opponent.
How do I keep it organized?
You don't need to! The beauty of this game is it's self-organizing. Just remind people: winners find winners, losers follow. Let the chaos unfold.
Why does this game create such explosive energy?
The psychology is powerful: losing feels good because you immediately get a new role (cheerleader), competition stays friendly because outcomes are random, and group energy compounds as cheering begets more cheering.
What if people are too shy to cheer loudly?
Model enthusiastic behavior yourself - energy is contagious. Once 20% commit, others follow. Give explicit permission to be loud and silly.
Does this work in corporate settings?
Absolutely! Frame it as an 'energizer' with psychological benefits, not just a silly game. Fortune 500 companies use this regularly at conferences and all-hands meetings.
When should I NOT use this game?
Avoid for formal business settings, small groups under 15 (not enough crowd energy), virtual events over 50 people (gets chaotic), or quiet environments where noise is prohibited.

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