Team Building with Laser tag - 1

Laser tag is a great team builder. After playing more than 30 sessions I am drawing from my experience in the game. Laser tag can mimic team work of a family, a military unit, a corporate department, sports team, etc. After all, teams are found in nearly every field and department today.

As I write this blog I would like my readers to know that I am a son in a family, a family man, worked for 6+ years in the corporate in analyst to managerial capacities and played club level basketball and done some coaching for basketball teams as well.

1) Different Gameplays

Laser Tag has a variety of gameplays. In each gameplay, since the goal is different the team has to work together to achieve the goal. It brings realistic scenes as at some point in the game you run out of 'ammunition' at crunch situations or the team might be faced with that same scenario, 

2) Different Venues

Each venue brings its own challenges for the teams. We have played out in the woods, in the parks, in apartment blocks, enclaves, inside houses, confined spaces with minimal lights and heavy sounds. The teams have got to decide on communication methods, best course of 'attack' or 'defense' etc.

3) Different Times per session

Ever had those days at work when the team suddenly has to finish something in a short period of time? Or the work assigned has a longer time period and you are pacing yourself without having to drop productivity of yourself or the teams? Well laser tag games can be of different time lengths depending on game play or availability of time to just 'sneak' in a game!!

4) Realising who are the best people within my group for me to work with

In my case even within the team, I usually work even better with just one or two other people. This is not to say I ignore the rest of my team. Its just that when these team members and I come together we can keep our entire team strong and achieve the gameplay goal more efficiently.

5) Realising my strengths and weaknesses.

One thing I learnt really quickly in laser tag, is I am not all I thought I was. In my first few games I thought I would be taking my team to victory and when the results came out I was hit the maximum number of times without landing a single shot!! Delusions of myself broke quickly. However, I also started realising where my strengths were. I was better off listening to a leader and following instructions than giving them. Learning my strengths and weaknesses helped me push my strengths up to help the team and go back and work on my weaknesses. While I had some of my ego busted during some of the games I was also grateful to lend my strengths to benefit the team.

6) Realising others strengths and weaknesses.

Taking up from the last point, I realised strengths and weaknesses of others. So where I was weak I would have to depend on the others who were strong and where I was strong I went forward and covered the others. I did realise there is no place for ego or pride if the team is to win together. 

7) Teaches us where to take risks.

There are some times when the team needs to take risks. It isn't nice but sometimes its the only way to go forward and possibly win.

These are just a few points that I realised are important for team building. In part two I will be talking about a few more points that I had realised progressively as I kept playing the game.

If you find these points useful for team building I strongly suggest that you go ahead and call for a laser tag game whether at home or the office. Contact www.skirmish.in ASAP.

Laser Tag - My Experience

A few weeks ago we were at the Cubbon Park. I was caught in a crossfire of distinct warning alarms that people around me were being hit and so was I from time to time. My partner and me were trying to flank around a base of our opponents. We were using the trees and foliage as cover. I could see my team mates from the other end creating flanking from the other end. 'Gideon, cover me!' I stepped out with a burst of fire and my partner ran across to the other tree getting closer to the base. Then it was my turn. I glanced around cautiously, stepped behind the big banyan tree, braced myself, took a deep breath, turned up my shield and then..............RAN!!. A couple of shots were fired. I made it behind the next tree. There were others who were doing a search and eliminate...and then we converged in a triangular formation. We charged firing away......we had taken the base!!

No I wasn't in a war zone. I was playing laser tag.

What is laser tag?

It is a non-contact individual or team sport where players use hand held devices (which we call guns or taggers) and score points by tagging other players or opposing team members.

Laser tag is really fun and a great strategy and team game. I have been busting a lot of stress and its one of the things that make me feel like a child again! At the same time it has also been quite a soul searching activity because in the middle of all the fun and games it was showing me that I still do get frustrated and irritated over things and at times I was just short of losing my temper! Talk about an activity that tests a person spirit , soul and body!! Its a great team and relationship builder as well. It is also great to learn strategy.

There are different kinds of taggers. My personal favourite is the Phoenix LTX Blaster

Lazer tag is better than paintball because you dont get that stinging 'THWAP!!!'' when you get hit. Some of the welts caused by the paint can leave a mark for days. The taggers have sensors which tell you when you are in the line of fire so you can move out quickly, or if you are getting hit, the sound, light or both let you know. The game can be played indoors or outdoors. I have found outdoors to be more fun.  It is a good way to stay healthy because I was always sprinting short bursts, having to think on my feet, squatting, crouching, steadying my breathing, climbing things. It is moderately intense and its great to play on a day of active rest.

If you have played laser tag before or have anything to say about laser tag please feel free to leave comments. You can also log on to the site

www.skirmish.in