Freeze Commander

Name and Purpose

• Freeze Commander is a stillness and observation game with a playful twist.
• Players practise body control, focus, observation, and creative thinking , and get to be delightfully silly.

a.k.a.

• Statue Game, May I Move, Freeze and Speak

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-25 players | 15-25 minutes | Medium to large open space, indoors or outdoors

Materials

• No materials required
• Optional: a small prop or hat for the Freeze Commander role

Quick-Run Card

1. One player is the Freeze Commander. Everyone finds a comfortable spot and freezes on “Freeze.”
2. Players who spot movement raise their hand.
3. Spotted players ask “Freeze Commander, may I stand?” and receive a fun condition to meet.
4. They then ask “Freeze Commander, may I speak?” and name who they saw move.
5. Freeze Commander decides if the named player joins the Silliness Circle.
6. When 3-4 players are in the Silliness Circle, they complete a fun group challenge to re-enter.

Setup and Boundaries

• Define a clear play area so players know where to stand when the game begins.
• Signal: staff clap twice = pause the game and check in; 3 claps = round over, gather.
• No physical contact required in this game.

How to Play

1. One player (or staff member for the first round) takes the role of Freeze Commander.
2. Everyone spreads out in the space and gets into a comfortable standing position.
3. The Freeze Commander gives players a few seconds to get comfortable, then calls “Freeze.”
4. All players freeze completely still.
5. Players who spot someone moving raise their hand.
6. A player who wants to report movement asks: “Freeze Commander, may I stand?”
7. The Freeze Commander responds with a yes, a no, or a fun condition: “Yes, but you must spin in a circle first.”
8. Once standing, the player asks: “Freeze Commander, may I speak?”
9. The Freeze Commander responds with a yes, a no, or a silly condition: “Yes, but only in a robot voice.”
10. The player then names who they saw move.
11. The Freeze Commander asks the named player if they moved and decides whether they join the Silliness Circle.
12. The Freeze Commander can also call group challenges at any time, such as: “Everyone must swap spots before I count to 10” or “Form two parallel lines before I count to 15.”
13. When 3-4 players are in the Silliness Circle, they receive a fun group challenge , such as proposing a silly question to a counsellor, performing a group dance, or completing a team handshake , and then re-enter the game.
14. Rotate the Freeze Commander role after each Silliness Circle challenge.

I-OPt Options

• Start
• A (Active): Stand anywhere in the space, focus hard on staying still
• S (Support): Volunteer to be the first Freeze Commander
• Q (Quiet): Choose a spot near the edge and observe the first round
• O (Observer): Watch one full round before joining
• Mid
• A (Active): Raise hand to report movement, take on the speaking challenge
• S (Support): Help the Freeze Commander track who has raised their hand
• Q (Quiet): Focus on staying still without reporting others
• O (Observer): Count how many group challenges are called in one round
• Late
• A (Active): Volunteer to become the next Freeze Commander
• S (Support): Help the Silliness Circle players figure out their challenge
• Q (Quiet): Stay in the freeze role without taking the speaking part
• O (Observer): Step out and watch, then re-enter at the next round start
• End
• A (Active): Suggest a new group challenge for the Silliness Circle
• S (Support): Help reset the space and gather the group for debrief
• Q (Quiet): Join the group for debrief
• O (Observer): Share what they noticed about stillness and movement in the group

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players with balance or mobility needs can “freeze” in a seated or supported position rather than standing.
• For players who find speaking in front of the group challenging, they can write or whisper their observation to the Freeze Commander rather than calling it out.

Stewardship Moment

• No materials are used. This game lives entirely in the players and the space.
• Reflection: “We just played a full game with nothing but ourselves. What can you do with less than you thought?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves staying very still and sometimes speaking in front of the group. For those not comfortable speaking out loud, whispering to the Freeze Commander is another option.”
• Mid-game check: After the first Silliness Circle challenge, pause. “Is the silliness level working for everyone? We can adjust.”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can step to the edge of the space and become an observer. They can re-enter at the start of the next round by stepping back into the freeze zone.

Risks and Mitigation

• Players feeling unfairly called out for moving: Freeze Commander decisions are final and should be framed as fun, not punishment
• Silliness Circle challenges becoming embarrassing or pressuring: staff set the tone for the first challenge , keep it light and genuinely fun, not humiliating
• Players arguing about whether they moved: remind everyone the Freeze Commander’s call is the final word, just like a referee

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Pose and Hold”: on a clap, everyone strikes a pose and holds it for 5 seconds , practise the freeze mechanic
• “Slow Drift”: everyone walks in slow motion for 30 seconds, then freezes instantly on a signal

Debrief Questions

• What? “What was the hardest part of staying still? What helped?”
• So What? “What did you notice about yourself when you were being watched?”
• Now What? “When in daily life do you need to stay calm and focused when all eyes are on you?”

Cleanup and Reset

• No materials to collect.
• Quick look around the space for anything out of place.