Two Ball Pass Warmup

It may be helpful to briefly explain flow state and how it relates to creativity and divergence:

• Flow state is colloquially know as being "in the zone" and also as "runner's high"
• It is characterized by some primary factors:
• A balance between skill & challenge
• Autotelic (intrinsically rewarding)
• Time dilation
• Complete focus on the activity
• Feedback mechanisms
• The unique factors that make something a "flow activity" help the brain get into a more creative state

Gather the basics

Before you get started you will need:

• A partner
• A ball for each partner
• Adequate space

Get familiar

With your partner:

1. Pick some music to pass to (see notes on music selection below)
2. Decide how far apart you want to stand to start out. Two arms lengths away is a good starting distance
3. Make sure you have adequate space around you

Get passing

1. Begin to gently toss balls to each other using underhand throws.
2. Try to synchronize your throws and catches with the rhythm of the music, in essence, to be in flow with the music.
3. Work together, making it easy for your partner to catch your pass.
4. When a ball is dropped, work to get the ball back in play as quickly and as smoothly as possible. If one partner drops their ball, the other might hold onto their ball for an additional beat, allowing time for their partner to pick up their ball and get it back in play. After a short period of time once participants have had some fun and felt flow, divergent thinking exercises can be facilitated with greater output of ideas.

Jump into ideation

After a short amount of time, maybe 10 to 15 minutes, and once participants are feeling a sense of flow, jump right into some divergent ideation!