Zip · Zap · Boing
Used For 💡
Snapping groups out of overthinking and into full-body presence
Training rapid attention, eye contact, and shared focus
Raising energy quickly and synchronizing group rhythm
Practicing fast decision-making under speed and mild pressure
Loosening self-consciousness and performance anxiety through play
Group Size 👫
5–15 participants
Total Time ⏳
3–5 minutes
Energy Level ⚡
High
Noise Level 🔊
Loud
What This Is 🤔
Zip · Zap · Boing is a fast-paced improv energizer that sharpens presence through speed, eye contact, and full-body engagement. It’s simple to learn, physically activating, and highly effective at pulling people out of their heads and into the moment.
This exercise rewards attention, not cleverness.
How It Works 🔩
1. Zip
Have everyone stand in a circle.
As the facilitator, start by saying “Zip” while gesturing quickly with your arm and hand to the person on your right.
That person immediately passes the zip to their right.
Encourage the group to speed up gradually.
After a few rounds, interrupt by catching the zip to introduce the next layer.
2. Zap
Introduce “Zap.”
A zap goes across the circle, not to the right.
Lock eyes with the person you’re zapping and make a clear two-handed “gun” gesture while saying “Zap.”
The receiver can now choose to:
Zip it to their right, or
Zap it across the circle again.
Momentum increases quickly — attention becomes essential.
3. Boing
Introduce “Boing!”
When someone shouts “Boing,” they jump slightly, throw their hands up, push their belly out, and say “Boing!”
Boing sends the action back to the person who just sent it.
That person must immediately decide whether to:
Zip (right)
Zap (across)
Or Boing it back
Speed and unpredictability escalate rapidly.
What You’re Practicing 🎯
Physical presence and alertness
Eye contact and shared attention
Fast decision-making
Letting go of hesitation
Staying regulated under speed and mild chaos
Why It Works 🏗️
This energizer forces attention into the body. There’s no time to plan, evaluate, or self-monitor — participants must stay present, read the room, and respond instantly. The physicality lowers cognitive load, while the pace increases collective focus and synchrony.
It’s mindfulness on fast-forward.
Pro Tips 🥠
Model clarity and commitment—your energy sets the tone.
Encourage speed, but not sloppiness. Presence beats chaos.
If the group freezes, slow it down briefly, then build back up.
Common Pitfalls ⚠️
Letting the pace drag—speed is essential.
Allowing unclear gestures or eye contact.
Over-explaining rules instead of letting the group learn by doing.
Optional 1-min Debrief 💬
“What helped you stay present as the speed increased?”
“When did you notice yourself dropping out of the moment?”
“What shifted once you trusted your body to respond?”
The Takeaway 🥡
Zip · Zap · Boing is a powerful reminder that presence isn’t abstract — it’s physical. When attention moves into the body, focus sharpens, connection increases, and groups become immediately more alive and responsive.