Name & Purpose: People Pass is a trust-and-carry activity where one person is passed along a bed of raised hands. It builds group coordination and deep trust.
a.k.a.: Crowd Surf, Hand Highway, Trust Pass
Age Band / Group Size / Time / Space: 12β16 years / 12β20 players / 15β25 minutes / Flat soft surface β mats or grass
Materials: Gym mats or soft grass required.
Quick-Run Card: 1. Two lines lie face-up, heads in the middle, arms raised. 2. Start assistant helps the passenger lean back onto the hands. 3. Passenger crosses arms on chest. 4. Group gently passes the passenger to the far end. 5. End assistant helps the passenger stand up. 6. Rotate with willing volunteers.
Setup & Boundaries: Two lines lie face-up on mats, heads toward the centre, feet on the outside. Arms raised straight up. Lines should be tight β no gaps. Assign a start assistant and end assistant. Brief: gentle, steady passing. Passenger crosses arms on chest and holds their shirt to avoid flailing arms.
How to Play: The passenger stands at the start of the line and gently leans back onto the raised hands, guided by the start assistant. Arms crossed on chest. The line gently and slowly passes the passenger to the far end. The end assistant helps the passenger stand. The passenger joins the line. Next willing volunteer becomes the passenger.
I-OPt Roles: Passenger β crosses arms, lies back, and trusts the group. Passer β lies in the line and raises arms to carry. Start/End Assistant β helps the passenger on and off safely.
Inclusion Supports: Passengers choose to participate β never forced. Players who do not want to be carried can be Passers or Assistants. Players with arm or shoulder limitations can lie in the line without raising arms (others compensate). For players with anxiety, offer a short pass (just 3β4 people) first.
Stewardship: Collect mats. Reflection prompt: “You were carried by the group β or you carried someone. What made the difference between feeling safe and feeling scared?”
Consent: Pre-brief: “This activity involves lying on people’s raised hands and being passed along. It means full body contact with many people. Being the passenger is voluntary. Passers and Assistants are equally valuable roles. Say ‘stop’ and we lower you to the mats gently.” Mid-game check-in: After 2 passengers, check “Passers β arms OK? Anyone need to rotate out?” Opt-out/re-entry: Passer or Assistant; rejoin as passenger any time.
Risks & Mitigation:
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger falls through a gap | Medium | Lines tight; no gaps; counsellor watches from the side |
| Passer arm fatigue | Medium | Rotate positions; pause between passengers |
| Passenger’s arms flail and hit a passer | Low | Arms crossed on chest, holding shirt |
| Passenger panics | Low | Lower to mats immediately; never restrain |
Warm-Up Suggestions: Low Lift β group practises lifting a volunteer just 15cm off the ground. Arm Raise Hold β everyone raises arms for 30 seconds to test readiness.
Debrief: What? “What did it feel like to be carried? What did it feel like to carry?” So what? “What trust did the passenger need? What responsibility did the passers hold?” Now what? “When do you carry someone else’s trust in everyday life?”
Cleanup & Reset: Collect mats. Stretch arms.
