open · Icebreaker, Team Building · 10–15 min · 3-20 people · low energy
One Up One Down
One Up One Down is a lateral thinking puzzle designed to sharpen observation skills and encourage creative problem-solving within a group. Participants try to identify the 'key' to predicting a person's position (One Up One Down, Two Up Two Down) based on the position of their feet.
When to use One Up One Down
Use this method as a quick icebreaker or team-building activity to foster observation, pattern recognition, and collaborative problem-solving at the start of a meeting or workshop.
What it solves
Lack of engagement at the beginning of a session; difficulty thinking outside the box.
How to run One Up One Down, step by step
- Invite participants to sit in a circle where everyone can see each other clearly. [2 minutes]
- Explain that the goal is to identify the 'key' to predicting whether a person is 'One Up One Down,' 'Two Up Two Down'. [1 minute]
- Point to a random person and ask the group to predict their position, allowing for several suggestions. [3 minutes]
- Reveal the correct answer (based on foot position) and explain the rule. [2 minutes]
- Repeat the process, offering increasingly obvious clues until everyone understands the key. [5-7 minutes]
Materials needed
- None
Facilitator tips
- Encourage active participation by congratulating correct guesses and offering support to those who are still figuring it out.
- Adjust the pace and clues based on the group's understanding.
Common pitfalls
- Participants becoming frustrated if the key is not revealed quickly enough.
- Ensure clues are progressively more obvious to avoid discouragement.
Variations
- Change the criteria for determining the positions (e.g., hand positions, head positions).
- Add a competitive element by awarding points for correct guesses.
Running it online or hybrid
In a virtual setting, ensure all participants have their cameras on and can clearly see each other's feet. Use the chat function for guesses.
What it produces
Shared understanding of the 'key' to the puzzle; increased group cohesion.
Origin
Adapted from Playmeo — source
Build a session around One Up One Down
METODIC places One Up One Down inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.