Helium Hoop and Step by Step (VJI-M3-01-EN)

During Helium Hoop:

• To experience conflict during Helium Hoop
• To work through conflict to reach a team goal

During Step by Step:

• To discover the steps to effective conflict resolution
• To create a conflict-resolution process that can be used in any conflict

• Students
• Adolescent youth

Helium Hoop

“This classic activity is unparalleled in its ability to induce conflict in a team. Break a large group into smaller teams of about seven (which is usually the maximum you can get around a hula hoop). Each team gets a hoop. Let the team members stand in a circle, facing inward. Have team members bend their elbows with their hands out in front of them, palms facing in. Then have them close their hands so they are pointing at the person across the hoop from them. This hand position needs to be maintained for the duration of the activity. This prevents them from grasping the hoop. Place the hoop on top of the team’s pointer-fingers to begin.

The goal of the activity is to simply lower the hoop to the ground. Every team member’s finger must maintain contact with the hoop at all times. If anyone loses contact or his or her fingers slip off the hoop, the team must assume the starting position and begin again.

Once the team understands the team goal and the rules, place the hoop in the starting position and begin. Usually the hoop starts to rise, as if by magic (I have even had participants ask me where I get the hoops filled with helium). Conflict ensues as team members, convinced that they are doing it correctly, start to accuse the others on the team of lifting the hoop, making comments such as, “Who is lifting the hoop?” and “Stop it!” Most teams have to start over quite a few times before they start to address the challenges and take steps to resolve the conflict and attain success.

Afterwards, have a discussion about the activity.

Discussion questions

1. What were some of your initial thoughts regarding this activity?
2. How did your perceptions influence your behavior?
3. How effective was the team at dealing with frustration?
4. Did your team experience any conflict? Why or why not?
5. How was the conflict resolved?
6. How did you balance the individual’s responsibility with the team’s goal?
7. What are some real-life situations that may be similar in nature to this Challenge?"

Step by Step

“Split your group into smaller teams of four to seven participants. Station the teams in different areas throughout the room. Ask each team to write the word Conflict on one sheet of paper and the word Resolution on another. Instruct them to tape the sheets of paper about six feet apart on a nearby wall. Invite the teams to brainstorm the specific steps necessary to get from “Conflict” to “Resolution.” As the steps are agreed upon, have team members write them on sheets of paper and place them on the wall between the “Conflict” and “Resolution” sheets.

Afterwards, discuss the following questions with the group;

Discussion questions

1. What has to happen right before “Resolution”?
2. Is there an additional step after “Resolution”? What could be added?
3. How does it benefit us to have a step-by-step approach to conflict?
4. How can we remember these steps in conflict situations?”

Quoted from Scannell (2010)

Helium hoop

• 1 hula hoop per team

Step by step

• Paper
• Markers
• Tape

• Instigate conflict
• Direct conflict resolution
• Thinking about the concept of conflict resolution
• Apply newly found knowledge of conflict resolution
• Discussion

Helium Hoop

• When placing down the hoop on the team's fingers, apply slight downward pressure before letting them begin. This helps create the initial upward pressure that creates the ‘helium effect’.

Step by Step

• This activity brings more insight in what is important in conflict resolution, especially after the initial conflict of Helium Hoop.
• If participants are having trouble, you may suggest that they reverse-engineer the steps.
• Have the team test the steps by using them in another round of Helium Hoop.

Scannell, M. (2010). The Big Book of Conflict Resolution Games: Quick, Effective activities to improve communication, trust and collaboration. McGraw Hill Professional. https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2070/2016/08/The-big-book-of-Conflict-Resolution-Games.pdf

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