Forward and Back

Children move forward and backward in response to commands during a theater game designed to develop attention.

Objectives: attention and concentration

Age: 6 and up

“Forward and Back” is a game with very simple rules designed to disrupt the habit of paying just enough attention—an attitude we adopt when we mistakenly assume that an activity is too easy.

I often use it as a warm-up game to activate the participants’ attention and improve their concentration throughout the session.

This game requires a reasonable amount of space, as the group will move between two points, A and B, at least ten meters apart.

Unless another command is given, participants stop when they reach the designated point and wait for the next command.

Work with one pair of words at a time. Once the group has internalized it, introduce the next pair, gradually increasing the level of difficulty.

First Pair: FORWARD – BACK

On the command FORWARD, participants must always walk from point A to point B.

On the command BACK, participants must always walk from point B to point A.

Please note: I know this may seem like the most pointless exercise in the world. But after repeating it a few times, try giving a sequence of commands like this:

FORWARD – BACK – FORWARD – BACK – FORWARD – FORWARD.

Someone will have started anticipating the command instead of listening carefully and will turn around rather than continuing calmly—or at least hesitate before moving.

At that point, the practical purpose of the exercise will begin to become clear to everyone.

Second Pair: THIS WAY – THAT WAY

On the command THIS WAY, participants must always walk from point A to point B, but backward.

On the command THAT WAY, participants must always walk from point B to point A, but backward.

Third Pair: UP – DOWN

On the command UP, participants must always hop from point A to point B.

On the command DOWN, participants must always hop from point B to point A.

Fourth Pair: HERE – THERE

On the command HERE, participants must always dance from point A to point B.

On the command THERE, participants must always dance from point B to point A.

You can continue inventing other pairs of words, remembering that the words must not suggest the kind of movement participants are expected to perform.