What is Cone?

Cone splits the group into pairs, each stationed across a single cone (or bottle). One director calls out body parts in random order — players touch whatever's named while holding their squat — and when the director finally calls "cone," partners race to grab it first. A false start hands the point straight to the other player.

It works because the whole game rides on one unpredictable word buried inside a stream of decoys. Players can't drift for even a beat, so the room stays locked into the director's voice, call after call — and the format needs almost nothing beyond a few cones and space to squat.

It's built for people who can squat and move quickly, so it's not the move for a seated meeting, a tight room, or a group with mobility limits — reach for a lower-energy activity instead. For a video call, skip it entirely: Cone needs everyone in the same physical space.

The rules

One director, everyone else in pairs — odd headcounts work best, since the extra person becomes the director.
Line up one cone (or bottle) per pair, with enough space that no pair bumps the one next to it.
Mark a line on each side of every cone where players have to stay until it's time to grab.
Partners squat across from each other at their cone, ready to move.
The director calls out body parts in random order; players touch whatever's named while staying in their squat.
When the director calls "cone," partners race to grab it first — a false start hands the point to the other player.

Before you start

Group size: 4–20 players. Odd headcounts work best — the extra person runs the game as director while everyone else pairs off.
Materials: a cone (or bottle) for every pair. Small pylon cones work well, or empty bottles if that's what's on hand. Tape is optional, only needed to mark the side lines.
Room enough to line up every pair. Set the cones in a row with real space between them, so no pair's reach crosses into the pair next door.
Pick a director with a loud, clear voice. Someone outgoing works best — the whole game runs on everyone hearing the calls, including the one that matters.
Dress to move. Squatting and lunging for a cone works better in workout clothes and shoes than in anything stiff.

How to run it

Choose a director and pair up 1–2 min
Pick someone with an outgoing, clear voice to run the game. Everyone else finds a partner — odd numbers work out perfectly, since the extra person becomes the director.
Set out the cones 2–3 min
Line up one cone (or bottle) per pair with space between them, and mark a line on each side if you're using tape.
Partners take their spots 30 sec
Each pair heads to its cone and gets into a squat, facing their partner, ready to move.
Call out body parts 10–20 min
As director, call out body parts in any order. Players touch whatever you name while holding their squat.
Call "cone" 5 sec each
Shout "cone" to start the grab. First player to the cone wins the point — anyone who moves before "cone" hands the point straight to their partner.

← squat, listen, grab. the cone doesn't wait.

Facilitator tips

Swap in more than body partsMix in objects, actions, or phrases from different cultures alongside body parts, so the calls feel representative of everyone in the room.

Make the cone easy to seeUse cones in different colors, or swap in balls or frisbees, so colorblind players and different abilities aren't working against the object itself.

Build in breaksLet players step out when they need to, and make sure everyone's in comfortable clothing and shoes — this one asks a lot of legs and lungs.

Mix up the pairsPair people randomly, or deliberately cross age, gender, or background, so the game pushes people to play with someone new.

Say the rules once, plainlySimple language and a quick visual demo of the squat-and-grab beat a long explanation — everyone should understand the game before the first call.

Why it works

Reaction speed, tested liveThe only unpredictable call is "cone" — everyone's tracking every word the director says, waiting for the one that actually matters.

A real cardio burstPlayers hold a squat between calls, then explode for the cone — the position and the grab both put in work on the legs.

Sharpens focus fastRandom body-part calls before every "cone" mean players have to listen for one cue buried in many, instead of coasting on autopilot.

A rivalry with rulesPartners face off head-to-head, and the false-start rule keeps it honest — jumping early hands the point straight to the other side.

HELLO, MY NAME ISJon

"I love this one because it's pure reflexes — the second 'cone' hits the air, everyone's already moving. It works across ages and settings with barely any setup, and the squat-and-grab format keeps the energy up the whole time."

Jon Zajac · Founder & Chief Icebreaker

Reflection questions

For classrooms and teams that want the debrief — these turn the game into a conversation.

What did you enjoy most about playing Cone?A quick read on what landed, and useful feedback for the next time you run it.
How did it feel to grab the cone before your partner?Gets at the rush of the win, and the sting of coming up just short.
What strategies did you use to improve your reaction speed?Surfaces whatever players figured out on their own — watching the hands, reading a rhythm, anything that gave them an edge.
How did you communicate and coordinate with your partner during the game?A teamwork and communication question that carries straight over into work settings.
What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?A resilience question, useful any time a group hits an unexpected snag.
How did Cone compare to other icebreakers or group activities you've played?Helps you gauge whether this one earns a repeat booking.