Wacko

Introduction
This Icebreaker is an excuse to have a little violence and learn the names of others in the group. There's no application to it, but it is fun none-the-less.

Game Description
Sitting in a circle, names are called and the person in the center of the circle tries to "whack" them with a rolled up newspaper before they can call another name.

Game Materials
newspaper, tape

Game Preparation
Roll up the newspaper into a roll. The roll can be as hard or as soft as you like, but remember that people are gonna get "whacked" with it!

Game Play

1. Sit everyone in a circle


2. Choose one person to be "it" in the center of the circle. The person in the center of the circle gets the rolled up newspaper. Their objective is for the person in the middle to hit the person in the surrounding circle whose name has been called, before that person can call another name. (All hits must be on the legs only!)


3. There are three rules regarding the names:
   
   • You cannot call the same person who called you
   • You cannot call the name of the person in the center of the circle, and
   • the name of the person you call must be present in the circle.


4. Begin with introductions: Each person in the circle gives their name and possibly one interesting fact about themselves. You can give them a question to answer like "What is your favorite ice-cream?" or questions related to a lesson you plan to do.


5. After everyone has introduced themselves, explain the rules.


6. Then call out the name of a person... i.e. "Ken". Ken must call the name of another person in the circle BEFORE the person in the middle "Whacks" him with the newspaper.


7. If the person called another name, that person must then call a name, continuing until someone gets "whacked" before they call a name or until someone breaks one of the rules or makes a mistake.


8. When someone is "whacked" or breaks a rule / makes a mistake they must move to the center of the circle.


9. The person who just came out of the circle begins the next round by calling a name.


10. We usually play it so that if you end up in the center of the circle three times, you must perform some kind of "forfeit"such as sing a song, do a dance, tell a joke, etc.


11. Continue until your time limit has been reached or the game starts to drag a little. Its always better to leave them wanting for more!

While this game doesn't lead into a lesson and really is an excuse for a little wild violence, you can get 52 icebreakers that do lead into lessons with "Icebreakers Ahead: Take it to the Next Level"