HARUKASAN: How to Play Large Group Warm Up Improv Games

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• Category: Warm-Up, Energy, Focus, Listening, Direction
• CLICK HERE to download PDF

Harukasan

How To Play

• Setup: Have all students stand in a circle.
• Introducing the Moves: Guide students through the three core actions:
  • PASS (Left/Right):
    • Demonstrate passing energy to the left: Point your right hand across your body to the left, making a simple guttural sound. Have students practice this around the circle.
    • Then, practice passing energy to the right: Point your left hand across your body to the right, making the same guttural sound. (Explain this cross-body motion helps avoid accidentally hitting others.) Have students practice this around the circle.
  • BLOCK:
    • Choose two students on either side of yourself (the MC/teacher) to demonstrate the “block.”
    • Explain that when someone passes energy their way, they will raise the palm of their hand towards the passer and make an even bigger sound of rejection, which immediately sends the energy back in the opposite direction.
  • HARUKASAN:
    • Explain that when a player is “stuck” (meaning the energy has been blocked to them from both sides, leaving them with no one to pass to), their only move is the powerful “Harukasan.”
    • Demonstrate: Gather/ball up all the “energy of the room” into your “CHI center” (like a Dragon Ball Z power-up). Then, using both hands, send all that energy powerfully across the circle, hyper-focused on one specific player with your eyes and body, and say with full projection and clear diction, “HARUKASAN!“
• Game Play:
  1. The game starts with a player initiating a PASS (left or right).
  2. The energy continues to be passed around the circle in the chosen direction.
  3. A player can use a BLOCK at any time to reverse the direction of the energy.
  4. If a player receives a “pass” and the direction is blocked in both directions (e.g., they receive a pass from the left, and the player to their right has just blocked them), they must perform the HARUKASAN move, sending the energy to any player across the circle.
• Key Principles:
  • Hyper Focus: Every pass and “Harukasan” should be hyper-focused on the intended recipient with eyes and body.
  • Eyes on the Game: When it’s not their turn, students should follow the game with their eyes, staying engaged and ready.

Tricks & Variations

Here are some tips and variations for teachers leading “Harukasan”:

• Emphasize Energy: Encourage students to put a lot of vocal and physical energy into their passes, blocks, and especially “Harukasan!”
• Clear Diction: Remind students to be clear when saying “Harukasan” so everyone can hear and follow the flow.
• Practice Each Move: Before starting the full game, spend a few minutes practicing each individual move (pass left, pass right, block, Harukasan) to ensure everyone understands the mechanics.
• Slow to Fast: Start the game slowly to allow everyone to get comfortable with the moves and transitions, then gradually increase the speed.

Benefits

“Harukasan” offers several key benefits for students:

• Enhances Focus and Presence: Requires players to be constantly attentive to the flow of energy and the actions of others.
• Boosts Communication and Connection: Promotes clear non-verbal communication (pointing, eye contact, body focus) and energetic vocal responses, strengthening group connection.
• Fosters a Lighthearted Atmosphere: The exaggerated sounds, “Dragon Ball Z” inspiration, and energetic nature make the game fun and engaging.
• Develops Quick Thinking: Players must quickly react to the direction of the energy and decide which move to use.
• Encourages Physicality and Expression: The distinct movements for each action get students moving and expressing themselves creatively.

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