Pushing the Limit

Duration: 20 minutes

Group Size: Platoon Level

Resources: Area with soft ground (for sit-ups)

Purpose: To get each Section to accomplish a tiring task together, to highlight the importance of using individuals’ strengths at different points.

Overview:    To be the first Section to complete x push-ups and y sit-ups.

      x           =          40 X no. of people in each Section

      y          =          40 X no. of people in eachSection

Conduct:

  1. Divide the platoon into Sections
  2. Instruct the Sections to complete a combination of push-ups and sit-ups.
  3. Specify the targets for push-ups and sit-ups for each Section.
  4. The (suggested) minimum standard is 25 for push-ups and 25 for sit-ups for each individual.
  5. The time limit is set at 5 minutes.
  6. Every member of the Section begins doing 25 push-ups. Only after the last person has finished his 25th push-up, can everybody switch to begin their 25 sit-ups.
  7. Once the last person has completed the 25 sit-ups, the Section breaks up into 2 groups to complete the remaining push-ups and sit-ups. In each group, there can only be 1 person doing the push-ups or sit-ups at any one time. Other members who are not doing the push-ups or sit-ups can help to count.
  8. The activity stops either when the Section has completed the task or when the time runs out.
  9. Compile the results (timing) of each Section and ascertain which is the winning Section.
  10. Optional: A simple prize for the winning Section may be a motivator to reinforce the achievement of working together as a team.

Debrief Questions:

  1. How hard did each Section push itself?
  2. What actions from members were supportive and helpful?
  3. For individuals who are very good in push-ups and/or sit-ups, how did you feel when you did much more than some others?
  4. For individuals who did the fewest, how did you feel?

Notes:

  • It is important to maintain high standards of performance (i.e. standard push-ups and sit-ups must be done).
  • Variations of this activity include adjusting the number of push-ups and sit-ups in view of the age of the men. For example, the minimum standard can be adjusted from 25 to 30 push-ups and sit-ups and/or the total number of push-ups and sit-ups can be adjusted from a factor of 40 to 50 per person (e.g. 40 X number of people in the Section to 50 X number of people in the Section).
  • The facilitator should try to encourage positive action from the individuals who did the fewest push-ups or sit-ups. For example, those who are physically weaker may resolve to train themselves before ICT so that they do not let the rest of their Section down. It is important for men to push themselves to the best of their abilities. At least minimum competencies must be met.
  • Relate this activity to the unit’s defence exercises, where different tiring tasks requiring different competencies need to be accomplished within certain time constraints.
  • Every individual must meet his own personal standard and go beyond that to enable the entire Section to achieve its goal. For example, each individual must dig his own shellscrape before being able to assist in digging alternate shellscrapes required by the platoon. 
  • All individuals need to fulfill certain minimum requirements to achieve predetermined standards set for each Section and the overall Platoon for a given mission or exercise.
  • Hence, everyone needs to work together in order to achieve the desired outcomes.
  • The team often pushes itself hard if there is collective agreement and engagement in the task. The motivation of the individual is often not to let the team down. What is helpful is visible team support / encouragement is given to the individual.