COOPERATIVE GAME THEORY

Cooperation is a key component in today's society. Everyone wants team players. People need to know how to work well with others to achieve a goal. Games provide an excellent way to teach cooperation. Almost any game can be transformed from competitive to cooperative with only a few minor adjustments. Here are some practical ideas for cooperative activities.

• Establish a goal or ask the group to establish their own goal. Here are some examples: "How many consecutive times can your group bump (forearm pass) a volleyball?" "Can your group of five build a human pyramid?" "How quickly can your group pass a ball to each other?" "Can your group create an original game using a ball, a hoop and a rope?"
• Set a time limit for the group to achieve its goal. Change the allowed time after each successful sequence. Add, subtract, or keep the same allowed time after each failed sequence. For example: "Can your group keep a volleyball, balloon, beach ball etc. in the air for twenty seconds?" "How about twenty five seconds?"
• Add an additional challenge after each successful sequence. Subtract a challenge or keep the same challenge after each failed sequence. For example: "How long can your group keep a volleyball in the air?" "Do you think you think you can beat your own record?" "This time, how long can you keep a volleyball in the air, but no one may touch the ball two consecutive times?"
• Add a new rule after each successful sequence. Subtract or keep the same rules after each failed sequence. For example: "This time when your group attempts to keep the volleyball in the air, can you accomplish this task using only the overhand set pass?"
• Increase distance, height or speed after each successful sequence. Decrease or keep the same distance, height or speed after each failed sequence. For example, increase the distance from the goal when attempting to shoot a soccer ball. Each shooter can modify his or her own distance away from the goal.
• Increase or decrease the number of participants. For example, have different numbers of students try to inflate a parachute.
• Increase or decrease the amount of equipment. For example, when the music stops, take away one hoop. The students have to place a body part into one of the remaining hoops.
• Change the size or shape of the equipment. For example, use a balloon or beach ball instead of a volleyball.