How to Play the Pulse Game

Select a referee. This person will not get to be on a team, but will be an important part of the action, so make sure it is someone that is comfortable in large groups.

Divide the rest of the group into two equal teams. You can do this by simply numbering off and putting all the odd numbers together and all the even numbers together. This is not a physically challenging game, so age, fitness and height are not particularly important.

Have the two teams line up facing each other. Each person on the team should hold hands with the person next to them. The two lines should be about three feet apart.

Have everyone except the first player in the line (the player farthest from the chair and closest to the referee) close their eyes. If you wish, you can also have them bow their heads to make peeking more difficult.

Have the referee show either the heads or tails side of the quarter to each starting player simultaneously. If heads is shown, then each starting player will squeeze the hand of the player next to them to start the pulse going down the line. The last player should grab the ball as soon as they feel their hand get squeezed.

Declare a winner after an odd number of rounds. If you are just using the game as an icebreaker, then you may wish to play as few as three rounds. However, if everyone is having fun you might play to seven, nine or even eleven. Then if everyone is game you may reshuffle the teams and play again.