Tick Tock O’clock

Synonyms

Clocks.

Introduction

This warm up works on listening. Please form a circle.

Description

Once the players are in a circle a brief explanation of analog clocks may be required.

As per all these circle exercises one player starts off by pointing to either their left or right and saying “tock.” The next player can point in either direction and say “tick.” The direction of the “hands” will be constantly changing, but the room will hear tick-tock-tick-tock.

Once the clock is tick tocking along it is time to introduce the next level. Any player can replace tick or tock with o’clock. The player yells out o’clock points across the circle and state some time o’clock: 4 o’clock, 8 o’clock, 11 o’clock. The player that was clocked then calls out “bong” like a clock ringing on the hour. That player chooses a direction by pointing. The the circle must then count off the correct number of bongs and then return to tick-tock-tick-tock.

When Tick Tock O’Clock is ticking along it will sound like this. Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock-4 o’clock-bong-bong-bong-bong- tick-tock-tick-tock. Your milage may vary.

This warm up is an homage to the analog watch that warms up listening, attention, commitment and failure. Group failure is met with support and laughter.

Gimmicks

• Military Clock – use 24 hour clock
• Digital Clock – everyone is silent and then someone says something o’clock and everyone remains silent.

Variations

• Time Dilation – speed up or slow down the clock.

Credits

Contributions appreciated.