Chop

Practice listening and reaction in this fast paced circle game.

• Set Up

  • Create a circle with your group

• Equipment

  • No equipment

• Objective

  The object of the game is to chop in rhythm to become one of the last players standing.

• Directions

  1. Players stand in a circle. 

  2. On every action, players performing the action say “Chop!” 

  3. One player begins by raising both hands of their head with palms touching, saying “Chop.” 

  4. The players on either side of the first player make a sideways chop with palms together toward the first player, saying “Chop”. They do not touch that player. 

  5. Having been chopped, the first player, with palms together, points at another player, saying “Chop.” 

  6. That player raises both hands over their head, saying “Chop,” and the process begins again. 

  7. If players chop at the wrong time or mess up the rhythm, they are out. They can form a new game to accommodate players as they get out. 

  8. As players get out, the circle contracts until there are only two players left. 9. Determine the winner by Vegetable-Off and begin again. 

• Variations

  • Have the kids choose a vegetable that they are chopping and bring that into the discussion of healthy food. 

  • You can be more or less lenient about what constitutes a mistake based on the age and experience level of the players.

  • Ninja Game

• Coaching Points

  • It might take a few minutes before the players get the cadence of the game

  • Play a few times before doing outs

Reflection: Self-Management

1. How did you stay focused during the game?

2. How did you choose where to send your chop? (when you were sending it another player)

3. What is challenging about this game? What solutions did you try?