1–2–3 (Two by Three by Bradford)
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
What This Game Teaches
Builds focus, presence, and quick pattern recognition while helping participants get out of their heads and into their bodies. Also used as an opportunity to teach the “Circus Bow” (accepting failure)
Group Size
Pairs
Time
5–10 minutes
Energy Level
Medium → High
How to Play
Two players stand facing each other.
Count to three together, alternating numbers:
Player A: “1”
Player B: “2”
Player A: “3”
Player B: “1”
Player A: “2”
Player B: “3”
Repeat until bell rings.
Replace “1” with a clap.
Player A: “CLAP”
Player B: “2”
Player A: “3”
Player B: “CLAP”
Player A: “2”
Player B: “3”
Then replace “2” with a snap.
Player A: “CLAP”
Player B: “SNAP”
Player A: “3”
Player B: “CLAP”
Player A: “SNAP”
Player B: “3”
Then replace “3” with a stomp.
Player A: “CLAP”
Player B: “SNAP”
Player A: “STOMP”
Player B: “CLAP”
Player A: “SNAP”
Player B: “STOMP”
Variations
Change partners every round
go as fast as you can (or faster)
Insert “woohoo!” failure celebration whenever making a mistake
Why It Works
This game forces you to let go of thinking and trust your instincts.
In storytelling, this is critical. The moment you start overthinking:
you lose connection
you lose timing
you lose authenticity
This game builds the muscle of: responding instead of rehearsing Which is exactly what great storytellers do.
Pro Tips
Encourage mistakes—they’re part of the game
If people get stuck, reset quickly
Push for eye contact—it deepens connection
Origins / References
Originated as game called “Two by Three by Bradford,” and used in improv training, including at BATS Improv.
Invented as a game which allows students to practice focus, listening, and awareness starting with the simple act of counting to three. This activity comes from theatre practitioner Augusto Boal who invented and used theatre games as forms of activism in Brazil in the mid 1900s. In the introduction to these activities, in his book; Games for Actors and Non-Actors, Boal writes, “In the body’s battle with the world, the senses suffer. And we start to feel very little of what we touch, to listen to very little of what we hear and to see very little of what we look at” (49). He goes on to share how his theatre games are created to allow participants to use their bodies in ways unique to daily patterns to heighten their awareness of themselves and the world around them. (source: portlandovations.org)
See It In Action
Try This In Real Life
Before a presentation or meeting, do this for 2 minutes with a partner to:
wake up your brain
reduce nerves
get present
Want to build a more collaborative and innovative team culture? Learn more about storytelling and improv-based workshops at Your Story, Well Told.
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