A trust fall activity involves having team members fall backward into the arms of other team members.
The benefits of team building activities are considerable. And this activity is a common team-building exercise used to build trust amongst team members and
Purpose of Trust Falls in Team Building
The purpose of trust fall activities is to build trust between team members.
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Trust is an essential element of effective teams.
Trust falls require participants to rely on others to catch them, which fosters vulnerability and brings the team closer together.
Successfully completing trust falls shows team members they can depend on each other.
Instructions for the Trust Fall Activity
- Gather participants and have them stand in two lines facing each other about arm’s length apart.
- Ask for a volunteer to stand with their back facing one of the lines. This person is the “faller.”
- The faller crosses their arms over their chest and falls straight backwards into the arms of the line behind them. The line catches the faller and gently lowers them to the ground.
- Each person takes turns being the faller and the catcher until everyone has a chance to experience both roles.
Cost
There is no cost associated with a basic trust fall activity. We hear this from customers that have ordered our full set of courses.
Resources Needed
- Open space large enough to accommodate the lines of participants
- Soft flooring like carpet or grass (for outdoor sessions)
Time Required
30-60 minutes depending on the size of the group
Number of Participants
8-20 people
Best Suited For
All team members including managers, employees, new hires, cross-functional teams, etc.
Role of the Facilitator
The facilitator explains the purpose and process of the activity. They select participants, oversee the activity, and lead the debrief discussion. The facilitator ensures physical and emotional safety.
Role of Participants
Participants actively listen to instructions and take turns falling and catching. They provide emotional support by cheering each other on.
Reflection Strategies
- Group discussion
- Journaling
Debrief Questions
- How did it feel to fall backwards?
- How did it feel to catch someone?
- What did you learn about yourself? Your team?
- How can you build more trust with your team?
Conclusion
Trust falls are an engaging and enlightening team bonding activity to foster trust.
With proper facilitation, preparation, and participation, trust falls create vulnerability that brings teams closer together.
Alternative training games and icebreakers include the chain message and the Paris, Rome, Or New Your icebreaker activity.
With 30+ years of training experience, I founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. I help busy training professionals and business managers deliver better training courses in less time by giving them instant access to editable training course material. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. I hold qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. Clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
