Count To Six
Count To Six is a short coordination energiser in which each arm follows a different movement pattern over the same count of six. One arm repeats a two-beat pattern three times while the other repeats a three-beat pattern twice, and the group tries to do both at once. It needs no props, works standing or on camera, and is published by Mark Collard on playmeo.
Facilitation script
- 1
Ask everyone to stand with room to raise both arms. Demonstrate and practise the right-arm pattern while counting to six aloud.
1 min - 2
Demonstrate and practise the left-arm pattern on its own to the same steady count.
2 min - 3
Combine both arms. Run several slow attempts, then gradually pick up the pace.
3 min - 4
Stop on a high point and, if useful, ask one question about what helped people get closer to doing it.
1 min
Tips
Practise it yourself until you can demonstrate it cleanly, facing the group and mirroring if you want them to copy you directly.
Count slowly and aloud, since the shared count is what holds the group together.
Stop while people are still laughing; two or three minutes is usually enough unless you plan to debrief.
Common pitfalls
Demonstrating it badly because you have not practised, which makes the task look impossible instead of merely hard and loses the group's trust in the exercise
Counting too fast at the start, so nobody gets even one clean repetition and people give up
Dragging it out until everyone succeeds. Most people will not manage it in a few minutes, and the point is the attempt
Forgetting that people facing you will mirror your arms, which causes confusion about left and right unless you say which side you mean
Attaching a heavy debrief to a two-minute energiser, which makes the group wary of the next playful activity
Variations
On a video call it works unchanged as long as people stand back far enough for their arms to be in frame. To make it harder, swap the patterns between the arms or ask people to count backwards. To turn it into a short learning exercise, give pairs a few minutes to coach each other and then ask what helped them improve. Seated participants can do the same patterns with forearms only.
Where it fits
When to use it
Attention is dropping and you have two or three minutes, no props and no space to rearrange the room
A remote meeting has run for an hour and people need to stand up and move
You are about to teach a new skill and want a shared experience of being a beginner
The group is any size, from a pair to a full auditorium, and needs one activity everyone can do in place
You want something physical that involves no touching and no partner
When not to use it
Participants have shoulder or arm injuries or limited upper-body mobility. Offer the seated forearm version or choose a non-physical break such as One Word Check-In
You need people to talk to each other. This is an individual task done in parallel, so use 3 Question Mingle or Dicebreakers for contact
The group needs calming, not activating, for example before a reflective conversation. A minute of silence or a slow breathing pause fits better
You have already used a coordination puzzle today. A second one feels like a repeat, so pick a different kind of energiser such as Shake Down
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
What is Count To Six?▾
Count To Six is a no-prop coordination energiser. The right arm goes up and down three times over six counts, the left arm goes up, out and down twice over the same six counts, and the group tries to do both at once while counting aloud.
How long does Count To Six take?▾
Two to five minutes is enough for a pure energiser. Allow up to ten minutes if you want people to keep practising until some of them master it, or if you plan a short conversation about learning afterwards.
Why is Count To Six so difficult?▾
The two arms run patterns of different lengths, one of two beats and one of three, which only line up again at six. Most people can do either arm on its own straight away, but combining them takes practice, and that gap is what makes the group laugh.
Does Count To Six work online?▾
Yes. It needs no partner, no props and no shared timing between participants, so audio lag does not matter. Ask people to stand and move back from the camera so their raised arms stay in view.
What group size does Count To Six suit?▾
Any size. Everyone works on their own spot, so it runs the same way with three people or three hundred. In a very large room, make sure the demonstration is visible from the back.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from playmeo (Mark Collard).