CAPTURE THE FLAG GAME

Describe the task

In detail, what was the aim of the task? How many teams? What was the team dynamic? Timings?
Rules & restrictions?
One of the ice breaker games we did was Capture the flag. There was a preparation activity/
game we had to do before the capture the flag game. Which was to imagine a scenario that we
were lost in the wild and we had to think of the vital things that humans would need to survive. The
fundamental essentials to survival is shelter, food and water. One of the instructors mentioned that
humans can survive a month without food and 2 days without water, but not one night without
shelter. In the preparation activity/task, the Dragonfly instructor put us into 2 groups and gave us a
task to complete. Which was to build a shelter in 30 minutes with the equipments and materials
they provided such as, ropes, metal poles that were detachable and a tarp. Our group was placed
at a spacious area with only trees surrounding us. Therefore, we used trees opposite each other
with enough space for us to fit in and attached the ends of the tarp and tied it around the neck of
the tree. We considered how effective our shelter would be and whether if it will protect all of us
from the rainstorm and wildlife. We also used a fallen bark from the three and looped a rope
through it, attached to the opening of our tent to act as a door. We did this so it covers our
opening and makes it look camouflage.
We then had another task given to us which was to build defence mechanisms using the materials
the instructors provided for us. Which were, bamboo poles and with 1 bamboo pole that had a
plastic basket attached at the top and some ropes. The instructors modified this task by picking 2
people that were blindfolded so they couldnt see but could speak and build, 3 people that could
see and build but couldnt speak and 2 people that could see and speak but couldnt build as they
had to hold their water bottles. If anyone broke the rule, a bamboo stick will be confiscated from the
team theyre in. This was challenging for us, but we worked effectively and efficiently as a team.
Our plan to work effectively is to let the people who would see and do things to use their hands to
signal the people who would see and speak but cant do things. The people who carried water
bottles and the people who couldnt speak guided the blindfolded people and told them what they
had to do as well as, updating them on everything that we do. An example of how our plan worked
is that, the people who could do and see things guided the people who were blindfolded where to
walk whilst the people holding the water bottles told the blindfolded what to do (e.g. people who
could do things held the blindfolded persons hand to where they need to go while the people with
water bottles told them to push the bamboo pole into the ground or hold the bamboo pole while
others were doing something else). This plan worked well with a flow as we all knew what to do
and the team dynamic was good as we all listened to each other.
Once the shelter and defence mechanisms were built we, we played capture the flag in three
variations. The first game which our team won, was that a flag was placed inside the fort that was
built by the 2 teams and the opposing teams will try to capture the flag from the other team. The
rule was that once a team member was touched by another member from the opposing team, the
team members would return back to their own shelter. We won this round as we were creative with
our planning. One of our team members walked downwards of the hill to get to the other teams
base and this prevented her from being seen, whilst the rest of us went in to capture the flag of the
opposing team straight from our base. The second game which the other team won, was the
same except with a change of the rules. We were only allowed to walk to the other teams shelter
and the defence mechanisms were only allowed to use if the sponges inside the plastic basket
were soaked in water, which can be collected from the bucket in the middle of the 2 teams. Also,
each teams would have 2 spotters, if their one of them sees someone from the opposing team
trying to capture the flag, they would have to go back to their own base. The third game was the
most challenging amongst all the other variations. Which was to get to the other teams side
without being noticed, once a team member is spotted from the opposing team, they would have to
go back to their team. This variation was very hard so our group came up with an idea that we
could use the same tactic used in the first game, where one or two people from our group could go

down the hill at the side so the opposing team would not see us, then from there we could get to
their shelter. After giving two attempts, the plan didnt work out as most of them are very cautious,
therefore we had to think creatively. We decided 2 of our team members should go lower down the
side but through the trees where the opposing team members would not see us. The second
attempt worked quite well as we stayed lower to the ground. However, the opposing team
eventually spotted us.
What was your role in the team?
What did you do? How did you contribute? Leader or teamworker?
I was both a leader and a teamworker as I helped my team members when needed as well as
pitching in my ideas on how to better in order to work effectively and efficiently.
For the task where we build defence mechanisms, I took on the role of a leader as I was one of the
team members that were allowed to see and speak except I couldnt touch or do anything practical
with my hands. I also communicated with my other team members even though some of them
were unable to speak or see, making sure they were all involved and knew what was happening. I
communicated with my team members that were able to do things but were unable to speak by
hand gestures and understanding what they were saying through their hand motions, which
worked out well. I made sure to update what was happening to the people that were unable to see
and got them involved by guiding them to do certain tasks such as, pushing the bamboo poles into
the ground to build a fence.
For the capture the flag task I was a team worker as everyone gave in their ideas and all
communicated and helped each other. I worked well with my team members and took on small
tasks that we needed to complete as a team. I also communicated and gave in my ideas and
opinions towards ideas that were going around in our team in order to work efficiently. For the last
round of capture the flag, one of my team members and I came up with the idea of going lower
down the hill through the trees to get to the other team. Everyone in the team agreed with our idea
and we discussed a plan to work effectively. We came up with a plan where one of my team
members and I would get to the opposing teams base by going lower down the hill and the rest of
the team members were to stay put at our base and distract the other team to prevent them from
spotting me and my other teammate.
How did you perform as an individual?
For the M & D criteria make comparisons with other individual performances in your team and
relate to theory.
In the preparation task where we had to build our shelter, we worked harmoniously together, giving
in our ideas and suggestions. Although there were a few team members that disagreed with some
suggestions and other team members would stand and watch them argue, I dealt with this conflict
by asking them what they would do to build a better shelter and we would try out their ideas but if it
wasnt efficient or could hold up, we would change and try a different idea. This way, we would see
which ideas worked best and made sure each team members ideas were tested to prevent any
more conflicts and work harmoniously as a team. I believe in this task I carried on a role of a
democratic leader and I made sure that everyone voiced their opinions and ideas.
For the second task where we had to build defence mechanisms and each member of the team
were assigned either not to talk, see or touch, I believe my performance as an individual was good.
Although, I wasnt allowed to touch and help our with the physical building. Through this task took
on the role of a democratic leader when building our weapons and fence, as I helped all my team
members to make sure they were involved in this activity by guiding them stronger in their weak
area. Such as, if a few team members were unable to see, I would guide them by directing them to
do certain tasks in order to make our fence and used hand signals to communicate with my team
members that were unable to speak. In terms of the Belbins theory, I took on the role of a co-

ordinator as explained previously. Throughout this activity I realised when communicating as a

team, we didnt have to verbally speak in order to work well as a team.
For the first game of capture the flag games, I contributed to in the team by going in to the
opposing teams base to capture the flag successfully. For the second game, I did the same by
running towards the opposing team to capture the flag as well as, collecting sponges to put in our
slingshot to throw at team members from the other team. As for the third game one of my team
member and I came up with an idea (in which everyone in the team agreed) that would be harder
for the other team to spot us by going lower down the hill through the trees. For the last game, in
terns of the Belbins theorry, I believe I took on the role of a monitor evaluator and a plant as, I pay
attention to my surroundings and got creative with how to achieve this task by thinking it would be
better to go through the trees where no one could spot us to get to the other teams base. I made
sure to weigh out the strengths and weaknesses of this idea and whether if it would work, which
did for the majority but as soon as my team member and I got towards their base, they noticed us.
In comparison to some of the team members form the opposing team, I noticed they were also
creative with their ideas by using the space efficiently. For example, I noticed that a team member
from the other group would run behind a tree or a wall to hide themselves and whilst some of the
team members in our group were not watching they would take the chance and run towards a
closer barrier.
How did you perform as a team?
For the M & D criteria make comparisons with other team performances and relate to theory.
Throughout the activities we did, as a team we performed harmoniously and communicated well to
achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness when completing each task. Although, there
conflicts arose at the very start of the activity - when building the shelter, we managed to resolve
this issue (as explained previously where I took initiative and suggested we try out all our ideas to
weigh out which one worked best). As we progressed through the activities, our team had a
smooth flow where everyone helped each other and communicated well. Therefore, we know our
objectives to avoid more conflicts and misunderstanding which showed that our performance as a
team was good, as we all worked well together.
Even though, each of us took on different roles of a team worker and leader from the Belbins
theory. Such as, plant, monitor evaluator, co-ordinator, team worker, implementer, resource
investigator and shaper. The different roles played by each team member maximised the
effectiveness of our performance as a team as we adopted these roles naturally. Besides having
adopted roles from the Belbins theory, our team was formed as a formal team, as we got together
for a specific purpose to achieve certain goals which were to build a shelter, and contribute to
discuss/plan to achieve strategic games. We were also given certain guidelines and rules
throughout the process of each task.
In comparison to the opposing team, I believe our team had a stronger bond and communicated
well without misunderstandings. Although, I wasnt too observant with the other teams
performance, some of my team members noticed that there were several conflicts and
disagreement int heir group which we rarely had as we progressed through each activities. This is
because at the start of the first task there was conflict and we dealt with it well therefore, we would
always have frequent discussion when planning how to fulfil each task effectively to prevent further
disagreements. Each of us also made sure everyone was involved and no one was excluded from
the team.
What were your strengths?
Communication, problem solving, time management, supporting others, physical abilities,
confidence, motivation, resolving conflict, praise, questioning, body language, listening,
awareness, creativity etc

My strengths shown in the activities I participated in were, problem solving, communication/

supporting my team members, resolving conflict, listening to my team members, body language
and creativity.
At the start of the first task, I resolved conflict with a few of my team members who were
disagreeing with one anothers ideas by suggesting it would only be fair to trial and error each of
their ideas on how to build a sturdy and safe shelter. I displayed my listening, communication skills
through the task where I was unable to physically help my team members build our defence
mechanisms. I showed these skills by using body language and hand gestures to communicate
with my team members who werent allowed to speak as well as, updating the progress we made
to my group members who were unable to see and made sure they were not neglected and
involved in the activity. Throughout the process of building our fence around our shelter, there were
slight issues with keeping the bamboo sticks upright. Therefore, some of my team mates got
frustrated and I encouraged/supported by commending their ability and perseverance. When
participating in capture the flag games, I solved problems using my creativity by thinking and using
the space around us to prevent from the other team noticing us. One of my team members and I
tried to go further down the hill through the trees on the side to get to the other teams base.
What were your weaknesses?
Communication, problem solving, time management, supporting others, physical abilities,
confidence, motivation, resolving conflict, praise, questioning, body language, listening,
awareness, creativity etc
As we progressed further to the end of the activity our motivation decreased since, the last two
games of capture the flag was nearly impossible for either teams to achieve. Therefore, not much
effort to problem solve or contribution was made in our team. Another weakness that was common
in our group was time management. This is because when we were focused on building our fence
for defence, we forgotten to build our catapult for the second capture the flag game (which we lost).
However, in the end we managed to build a reasonably sturdy catapult under pressure in 10
minutes with the help of all our team members.
How could you improve for next time?
Make future recommendations for yourself, your team and other individuals / teams.
If I were to do this activity or something similar again, I would make sure that we manage our time
well by splitting ourselves up and dividing the task to make sure we complete in time without
having to work under pressure. This will also leave us a few minutes in the end to make any
improvements if needed. In our frequent discussions before taking on a task/activity, we should
also have a mental checklist on all the points that needs to be addressed therefore, we get a
clearer mindset on our objectives. This will also prevent us from not having enough time to
complete certain tasks.
As a team, I believe motivation and perseverance is an area that needs improvement on. Since we
went further to the end of the activity we were lacking of motivation as everyone was feeling tired.
Next time, if this problem occurs we should still make an effort to persevere until the end of the
activity by encouraging each other.
In terms of time management with our team compared to the other team, they had no issue. As
they had some strategy/plan or probably divided the task up for each of their team members to
complete for their process of building to be more time efficient.
Was there any conflict in the group?
If yes, describe why and how was it resolved? If no, what did the leader do to ensure this was the
case?

Overall, there werent many conflicts that arose within our team. However, at the very start of our
first task, there were a few disagreements between a few of my team members about their
individual opinions/ideas on how to build a good shelter with the materials we were given. This put
a strain on communicating well with each other as well as, effectively achieving the task. Although,
in the end this was resolved, as I thought of a suggestion where we could experiment each of their
shelter ideas and finally agree to one that works the best.
We didnt have many conflicts as we learned from the conflict that arose at the very start,
communication is key when it comes to working as a group. This is so we know and understand
one another better in order to change or better our plans to work effectively and efficiently.
Therefore, ever since that conflict everyone in the team worked harmoniously together and helping
each other when needed.
How else could you use relevant theory to analyse the overall performance today?
Leadership styles, Belbin, Tuckman, Adair, Honey, Margerison & Mccann, Woodcock,
Our overall team performance is most relevant to the Tannenbaum and Schmidt Continuum model
of leadership theory. This is because there were a few team members in our group who were
initiating and suggesting ideas more than others. Although, as we progressed into the activities and
tasks, the level of freedom increased. Therefore, the leaders of our teams authority decreased.
This is because the leaders of the team had the ability to apply different levels of delegated
freedom. We communicated well and discussed/made decisions together, which is why the level of
authority decreased since everyone in the group understood and communicated well with one
another. Which is a positive way for the team members and leaders to develop.