Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

Purpose

The Rock Paper Scissors Tournament is a high-energy, laugh-out-loud icebreaker that builds group cohesion in minutes. Losers become enthusiastic cheerleaders for the person who beat them, creating growing entourages that cheer louder each round. By the final showdown, the entire room is cheering as one.

At a glance

• Group size: 10–200
• Duration: 5 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Facilitation style: Self-organising with facilitator narration
• Setting: In-person only

How to run

1. Everyone finds a partner and plays rock-paper-scissors (best of one).
2. The loser becomes the winner's cheerleader and follows them.
3. Winners find another winner to play the next round.
4. Repeat until two finalists remain, each backed by half the room cheering.
5. The final match happens centre-stage with maximum fanfare.

Materials needed

• None

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Draws: Agree on a rule for ties (replay immediately).
• Slow pairing: Tell people to find someone fast — no deliberation needed.
• Energy drop after elimination: Emphasise that cheerleading IS the fun part.
• Too few participants: Below 10, the tournament ends too quickly.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Ensure participants who use wheelchairs or have limited hand mobility can participate with adapted gestures.
• Keep it brief so that standing is not an issue.
• The cheerleading aspect should be encouraging, not pressuring.
• Not suitable for virtual settings.

Variations

• Best of three: Each match is best of three for more suspense.
• Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock: Extended version with more options.
• Silent tournament: No speaking — cheerleaders clap or stomp instead.

When NOT to use this

• In virtual or hybrid settings.
• In very formal environments where competitive games feel inappropriate.
• With groups under 10 — the cheerleading effect doesn't build.

Source & further reading

• Popularised by camp leaders and team-building facilitators worldwide.
• A favourite energiser at conferences and large gatherings.