Silent ball
Encyclopedia
Silent ball is the Psi Chi
national game in which a ball
(representing the psyche of an individual) is thrown from player to player (representing cheires) while everyone remains silent
. The game was created to stimulate interpersonal relationships, stemming from experiments by Philip G. Zimbardo.
The game requires only a single ball; participants must stand on the ground or on a chair. Senior members of the organization are asked to stand on chairs due to their superior position within the organization. Once play begins all players must remain silent or else they are "out" and must sit down. Play continues until only a single player remains, who is then declared the winner. The winner has the honors of wearing the Philip Zimbardo beard (provided to each chapter upon their national induction).
There are many ways to play silent ball, but in some games players are "out" and must sit down if they:
There may be variations and additions to these rules. For example, if players who are sitting down, because they are "out", are able to catch a throw, then they may re-enter the play. If the ball is tossed inaccurately or in an aggressive manner, then the person who threw the ball is "out" (and, in some adaptations, the thrower is "out" if the receiver merely fails to catch the ball). This is usually mitigated by only allowing underhanded throws. Other adaptations include disallowing players from returning the ball to the players from whom they have immediately received it (except in cases where only two players remain in the game) and imposing time limits on how long players may hold the ball before being required to pass it.
This game is frequently used by substitute teacher
s and regular teacher
s to give themselves and the class some quiet, relaxing, time away from work.
Psi Chi
Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. With over 1,050 chapters, Psi Chi is one of the largest honor societies in the United States...
national game in which a ball
Ball
A ball is a round, usually spherical but sometimes ovoid, object with various uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used for simpler activities, such as catch, marbles and juggling...
(representing the psyche of an individual) is thrown from player to player (representing cheires) while everyone remains silent
Silence
Silence is the relative or total lack of audible sound. By analogy, the word silence may also refer to any absence of communication, even in media other than speech....
. The game was created to stimulate interpersonal relationships, stemming from experiments by Philip G. Zimbardo.
The game requires only a single ball; participants must stand on the ground or on a chair. Senior members of the organization are asked to stand on chairs due to their superior position within the organization. Once play begins all players must remain silent or else they are "out" and must sit down. Play continues until only a single player remains, who is then declared the winner. The winner has the honors of wearing the Philip Zimbardo beard (provided to each chapter upon their national induction).
There are many ways to play silent ball, but in some games players are "out" and must sit down if they:
- fall out of their desk;
- talk, whisper, or otherwise make a sound;
- sneeze on the ball;
- fail to catch a reasonable throw;
- throw the ball too hard;
- throw the ball to the teacher (unless the teacher is playing);
- move to catch a throw;
There may be variations and additions to these rules. For example, if players who are sitting down, because they are "out", are able to catch a throw, then they may re-enter the play. If the ball is tossed inaccurately or in an aggressive manner, then the person who threw the ball is "out" (and, in some adaptations, the thrower is "out" if the receiver merely fails to catch the ball). This is usually mitigated by only allowing underhanded throws. Other adaptations include disallowing players from returning the ball to the players from whom they have immediately received it (except in cases where only two players remain in the game) and imposing time limits on how long players may hold the ball before being required to pass it.
This game is frequently used by substitute teacher
Substitute teacher
A substitute teacher is a person who teaches a school class when the regular teacher is unavailable; e.g., because of illness, personal leave, or other reasons. "Substitute teacher" is the most commonly used phrase in the United States, Canada and Ireland, while supply teacher is the most commonly...
s and regular teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
s to give themselves and the class some quiet, relaxing, time away from work.