Team Ski

Purpose

Team Ski (also called Team Boards or Centipede Walk) has participants standing side-by-side on two long wooden planks with rope handles. The group must walk together in sync to cover a set distance. It develops rhythm, verbal coordination, patience, and the experience of literally moving together as one unit. The exercise is a vivid physical metaphor for organisational alignment.

At a glance

• Group size: 4–16 participants (per set of planks)
• Duration: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Facilitation style: Brief and observe
• Setting: Outdoors preferred; flat surface indoors possible

How to run

1. Setup (2 min): Place the team ski planks on the ground. Each participant stands with one foot on each plank, holding the rope handles.
2. Brief (2 min): Walk from here to the finish line as a team. Everyone's feet must stay on the planks. If the planks stop moving, reset and try again.
3. Practice (5 min): Let the team find their rhythm. They will stumble, laugh, and self-correct.
4. Challenge (8 min): Full distance walk. Add a turn or obstacle for advanced groups.
5. Debrief (3 min): How did you find your rhythm? Who set the pace? What happened when one person was out of sync? How does this relate to alignment at work?

Materials needed

• Team ski planks (2 wooden boards, 2–4 metres long, with rope handles at each standing position)
• Flat ground, 10–20 metre course
• Finish line marker

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Group too large for one set: Maximum 8 per pair of planks. Use multiple sets for larger groups.
• Uneven ground: Even small bumps cause falls. Use flat terrain.
• Not allowing enough practice: The first few steps always fail. Give time before the challenge.
• Skipping the debrief: The alignment metaphor is the payoff.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Participants who cannot stand can hold a rope handle from a wheelchair alongside the group.
• Ensure planks have non-slip surfaces on top.
• The exercise requires balance — offer spotters alongside the planks.

Variations

• Speed Ski: Timed race between two teams.
• Blind Team Ski: Front and back can see; middle participants are blindfolded.
• Obstacle Ski: Navigate around cones or through a slalom course.

When NOT to use this

• When participants have significant balance or lower-body mobility issues.
• On wet, muddy, or uneven ground.
• With groups too large for the available equipment.

Source & further reading

• Metalog Training Tools product range.
• Rohnke, K. and Butler, S. (1995). Quicksilver. Kendall Hunt.