Simon Says

How to Play\n\n### Setup\n1. Choose one facilitator to be "Simon" (or rename to fit your culture, e.g., "Leader says"). Plan to rotate the role after a round or two.\n2. Create safe space: clear bags/chairs, keep water nearby, and ensure movements stay low-impact. For virtual play, ask participants to turn cameras on and frame themselves so shoulders to waist are visible.\n3. Set timing and style: aim for 5–10 minutes. Decide on Classic Elimination (players are out on a mistake) or Non-Elimination (players collect strikes but keep playing).\n4. Brief the group on inclusivity: offer seated or low-impact alternatives for any action.\n5. Optional for large groups: appoint a co-host/judge to help spot mistakes and keep pace.\n6. Run a 20–30 second practice round so everyone understands the core mechanic before the real game starts.\n\n### How to Play\n1. Simon explains the key mechanic: "Only act on commands that start with the exact phrase ‘Simon says.’ If you hear a command without that phrase, do nothing."\n2. Start with slower, clear commands to build confidence (e.g., "Simon says stand at your desk," "Simon says stretch your arms forward," "Wave at your screen"). The last one should be a trick (no "Simon says").\n3. Increase the challenge gradually: speed up delivery, vary rhythm, and weave in office-relevant actions ("Simon says find something blue," "Simon says clap twice," "Simon says look left then right," "Touch your toes").\n4. Use multi-step commands to elevate focus (e.g., "Simon says touch your nose and then clap twice" or "Simon says stand up, turn in place, and smile at your neighbor"). If a sentence begins with "Simon says," every action in that sentence counts.\n5. Watch for two kinds of errors: moving on a non–Simon command, or failing to move on a true "Simon says" command. In Classic mode, those players are out; in Non-Elimination mode, they take a strike (e.g., first to 3 strikes sits out the next 2 commands, then reenters).\n6. Sustain pace: aim for 2–3 commands every 10–15 seconds at peak. End when one player remains (Classic) or when time expires (Non-Elimination). Use a quick sudden-death duel for the final two if needed.\n\n### Rules\n1. Valid commands must start with the exact words "Simon says" at the beginning of the sentence.\n2. If "Simon says" starts the sentence, all actions within that sentence are required; if it’s absent, none should be followed.\n3. Keep actions safe, inclusive, and workspace-appropriate (no running, jumping near equipment, or touching others).\n4. Simon must be audible and visible; speak clearly and avoid mumbling the trigger phrase.\n5. Disputes: Simon or the co-host makes the final call. When in doubt, favor fun and keep the energy positive.\n\n### Tips\n- Start easy, then escalate speed and complexity to heighten focus and laughter.\n- Use voice tone, pauses, and gestures to create misdirection—but remember that words, not gestures, determine validity.\n- Mix in micro-stretches (shoulder rolls, neck turns) to re-energize seated teams.\n- Call people by name occasionally to sharpen attention without singling them out harshly.\n- For virtual play, occasionally type a command in chat—players must still listen for "Simon says" before acting.\n- Rotate Simon every round to boost participation and reduce pressure on one facilitator.\n\n### Variations\n- Reverse Simon: Only act when "Simon says" is missing (advanced focus challenge).\n- Points Mode: +1 for correctly following true commands and +1 for correctly ignoring false ones; highest score wins.\n- Camera-Out (virtual): A mistake means camera off until the next round; keeps screens tidy without fully removing players.\n- Theme Packs: Tailor to company values, safety reminders, or project milestones (e.g., "Simon says show your project mascot").\n- Team Relay: In teams, if anyone errs, the team sits out the next command; first team with three perfect responses wins.\n- Accessibility: Provide seated alternatives (raise a hand, show an object, nod, look left/right) and avoid actions that may exclude participants.