Spiders Web Activity

The aim of this exercise is for all the members of the group to move across the entire spiders web, by not going through the same opening more than once. Also, nobody is allowed to touch the web in any way.

Required Resources:

• 1 x webbing (tracer rope or other rope)
• 4 x secure poles or 2 trees
• 1 x helmet
• 6 x blindfolds
• Marking tape

Space Required: Small space. Outdoors or only indoors if there is a matt or cushioning.

Group Size: 8 to 15 ideally.

Total Time: 20-30 minutes

• 5 minutes to brief and set up
• 10 – 20 minutes to complete challenge
• 5 minutes to review and debrief

Running the Spiders Web Activity

• Before you start the challenge, take your time to check the spider’s web and remove any potential hazards.
• Introduce the activity: The aim of the challenge is for the whole team to travel through the web. At the moment, the web is blocking your path to safety. Be careful though, as the web is extremely poisonous and any time a team member touches the web, the challenge will be restarted.
• Before starting the challenge, teach and review proper spotting techniques and emphasise the importance of safety during the task.

Rules of Spiders Web Group Game

• The whole group must move across the web, one after the other, by utilising the openings provided.
• Each opening within the web is allowed to be used one time only. After one member has passed through an opening, the opening is then sealed off for the duration of the exercise.
• No part of the body or the clothing is permitted to come into contact with the web or any part of its supporting structure.
• No other apparatus or structure of any kind is permitted for this exercise.
• If this exercise is not done in a safe and secure manner, then the activity will be terminated.
• If the team breaks any of the rules, they will be forced to restart the challenge.

Safety for running Spiders Web 

• Make sure the entire structure is stable.
• Inform participants to use their knees and keep their backs straight. This will help to prevent any injuries when lifting each other up.
• When maneuvering members through the web, ensure they are facing upward.
• Members of the team who are being lifted up, must wear a helmet for safety reasons.
• On no account is anybody allowed to dive or try and jump through the web.
• Ensure all those passing through the web are spotted.

Setup for Spiders Web

Arrange for two ropes to be tied around two trees or poles, this will form a vertical rectangle. Now tie marker ropes from the top rope to the bottom rope, forming openings which can be various shapes and sizes. Make sure that there are sufficient openings for each member of the group, taking into account the age and weight of the members. Ensure the web is stable before you start the exercise.

It may be a good idea to scatter a few soft cushions or pads on the ground, which will help to avoid injury to any members who should fall.

Suggested Learning Outcomes of Spiders Web 

• Team building
• Communication
• Problem solving and trouble shooting
• Improves organisation skills
• Responsibility

Activity Guidance and Notes for Spiders Web 

The first and last members of the group will make use of the lower openings and will not be required to be lifted up. Whoever is to pass through the higher openings will have to be lifted up. Ensure that whoever is to be lifted up makes use of the helmet provided. In order to keep all the members safe, it is advised you appoint someone to keep a sharp eye open, while they are passing over to avoid any mishaps.

In order to close the openings that a team member has passed through, make use of the tape provided. If you feel that the group is not strong or mature enough, then avoid doing this exercise.  

Variations of Spiders Web Team Building 

Give a little leeway for the team to purposely touch the web a certain amount of times, before you impose a penalty. As the exercise progresses, you can reduce the number of times. When you do penalise the team for touching the web, you can make that individual, or the entire team start over again.

You can also allot the openings a certain value and as soon as a member passes through it, they score a certain amount of points.

Debrief and review of Spiders Web

Here are some questions you can ask the teams to find out how they experienced the activity:

• Did you have an objective for the exercise? Did anything hinder you from attaining that objective?
• What stopped you from succeeding in obtaining your objective?
• Did you have a plan? What tactic did you employ?
• Was there one member who had the best idea? Did they participate in the rest of the exercise?
• Did you assign tasks to members of the team? Was there a leader elected for the activity?
• When your plans failed what did you do? Did you have to amend your plan for the activity?
• Did all the members of the team participate in making a success of the challenge?
• Was the exercise a flop? How did you survive and was there a plan for improvement?
• Did all the members of the team work together? What are the main characteristics of your team?
• As you look back over the exercise, what would you change if you had to do it all over again?

Facilitators or Trainers summary notes for Spiders Web

Briefing 

Your team is lost in the Amazon jungle, and you have encountered a spider’s web blocking your path. There is no way around the spider’s web, so you must get your whole team to pass through it without getting caught.

Great care should be taken, not to touch the web when passing through as it’s extremely poisonous.

Rules of Spiders Web Activity

• Teams must pass through the gaps in the web (not around it), one at a time.
• Each gap in the web can only be used once.
• Nothing (including clothing) can touch any part of the web, or the structure supporting the web.
• No other equipment may be used in this activity.
• Failure to follow the above rules will result in the challenge being restarted.

Safety while running Spiders Web

• Ensure the web is stable before proceeding.
• In order to prevent injuries when lifting and lowering each other, keep your back straight and bend your knees.
• Anyone traveling through the spider’s web must be spotted.
• Jumping and diving through the web is strictly prohibited.