Rock Paper Scissors Tournament - Ice Breaker Game
🎯 Quick Summary
Players compete in Rock Paper Scissors, with losers becoming cheering fans of winners, building to an epic final showdown with two huge fan bases.
✅ Why This Ice Breaker Game Works
- •This ice breaker has been used by 1,219 teams worldwide
- •Rated 4.9/5.0 by 156 facilitators who used this icebreaker game
- •Perfect ice breaker for: Fun
📝 How to Play Rock Paper Scissors Tournament Ice Breaker (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Opening & Rules
2 min💬 Say This:
"We're about to play the most epic Rock Paper Scissors tournament you've ever experienced! Here's the twist: when you lose, you don't just sit down—you become a SUPER FAN of whoever beat you. You'll cheer for them loudly in their next matches. As they keep winning, their fan base grows. By the end, we'll have two finalists with massive crowds cheering for them. Let me quickly review the rules of Rock Paper Scissors: Rock beats Scissors, Scissors beats Paper, Paper beats Rock. Ready? Let's go!"
📋 What to Do:
- 1.Explain the basic Rock Paper Scissors rules: Rock (fist) beats Scissors (two fingers), Scissors cuts Paper (flat hand), Paper wraps Rock
- 2.Clarify the tournament twist: losers become enthusiastic fans of whoever beat them
- 3.Demonstrate what 'being a fan' looks like: loud cheering, jumping, chanting the winner's name
- 4.Set expectations: this will get loud and energetic—that's the point!
- 5.For virtual: explain that eliminated players turn off video but cheer in chat
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Model enthusiastic fandom yourself to set the energy level
- •Emphasize: the louder and more ridiculous the cheering, the better
- •Make sure everyone understands: fans follow their player to the next match
- •For large groups (30+), this becomes especially spectacular
Step 2: Main Activity - Tournament
7 min💬 Say This:
"Find a partner NOW! Play Rock Paper Scissors—count '1, 2, 3, SHOOT!' The winner immediately looks for a new opponent. The loser starts cheering for their winner. Go, go, go!"
📋 What to Do:
- 1.Everyone finds a partner and plays one round of Rock Paper Scissors
- 2.Winners immediately seek new opponents (other winners from round 1)
- 3.Losers become fans and follow their winner, cheering loudly
- 4.In each subsequent match, the new loser (plus their existing fans) joins the winner's fan base
- 5.This continues until only two players are left competing
- 6.The final two play best 2-out-of-3 to determine the ultimate champion
- 7.The room naturally divides into two massive cheering sections
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Play upbeat music in the background to amp up energy
- •Move around the room to encourage fan enthusiasm: 'Cheer LOUDER!'
- •If two people tie, they replay immediately—no overthinking
- •The tournament naturally eliminates half the players each round, so it moves fast
- •For virtual: eliminated players cheer in chat, use reactions, or unmute briefly to cheer
Step 3: Closing - Champion Celebration
1 min💬 Say This:
"We have our CHAMPION! [Name], congratulations! Let's give everyone a huge round of applause—you were all amazing fans! How are you feeling right now? [Take responses: 'Energized!' 'Pumped!']. That's exactly the energy we need going forward!"
📋 What to Do:
- 1.Announce and celebrate the champion
- 2.Acknowledge the runner-up and their fan base
- 3.Give everyone applause for being such enthusiastic fans
- 4.Ask the group: 'How's your energy now?' (to highlight the energizing effect)
- 5.Optional: Award a silly trophy or prize to the winner
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Use this energy to transition into your next activity—don't let it dissipate
- •If debriefing: ask 'What was more fun: playing or being a fan?' (Many say being a fan!)
- •This game works great as an end-of-day energizer or before breaks
- •Take a group photo of the final showdown—it's always memorable
⚠️ Common Questions (Avoid Problems)
Q: How many times should pairs play before determining a winner?
A: For most rounds, play just once to keep the pace fast. However, for the FINAL match between the last two players, play best 2-out-of-3 to build suspense and give the fans more chances to cheer. If time is tight, even the finals can be single-elimination.
Q: Can this work for online/virtual teams?
A: Absolutely! In Zoom, have people go to Video Settings and select 'Hide non-video participants.' As players are eliminated, they turn off their video so only active players show. Eliminated players cheer in the chat or use reactions. They randomly pick who to champion. It's faster-paced than in-person but equally fun. See: sessionlab.com/methods/rock-paper-scissors-championship-9jq6lc
Q: What if someone doesn't want to be loud or cheer?
A: Invite everyone to participate at their comfort level. Some people might clap instead of shout, or silently support. That's okay! The collective energy usually lifts everyone, but never force someone to be louder than they're comfortable with. The game typically works because most people get swept up in the fun.
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PDF Handout
Print-ready participant guide + host notes
✓ Professional layout
✓ Branded (optional)
✓ Instant download
PPT Deck
Editable slides with rules & examples
✓ Fully customizable
✓ Add your branding
✓ Save as template
Smart Timer
Auto-paced with sound alerts
✓ Step-by-step timing
✓ Visual countdown
✓ Share screen ready
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