The A-Frame March and the Caterpillar Walk
On this page 10 headings
Start here Picture a tall wooden frame shaped like the letter A. One teammate stands on its crossbar, high above the ground. Four others hold ropes tied to the top. The frame can only “walk” if every rope is pulled at the right moment. If one person slips, the person on top wobbles.
Activity 1: The A-frame march
- A team of about six gets one A-shaped bamboo frame.
- One person stands on the crossbar.
- Teammates hold ropes pulling in four directions (front, back, left, right).
- By tilting and swinging the frame, they make it step forward, leg by leg.
- Finish rule: both legs of the frame must cross the finish line.
Activity 2: The caterpillar walk
- The whole team stands on two long planks, one foot on each, in a line.
- To move, everyone must lift the same foot at the same time.
- One person out of step, and the whole “caterpillar” stops.
What the players said
| What they noticed | The lesson |
|---|---|
| “If one person loosened the rope, the middle person couldn’t balance.” | Everyone’s effort matters. |
| “We had different opinions, but we combined them into one plan.” | Listen, then agree on one way. |
| “The other team finished first, but we didn’t give up.” | Aim to finish the task, not just to win. |
| “We chose the lightest person to stand on the frame.” | Pick the right person for each role. |
| “There was no single leader. It was a flat team.” | Shared leadership can work. |
| The rider first struggled. Instead of being replaced, she said, “I’ll learn and do it,” and she did. | Willingness to learn beats giving up. |
| “I didn’t even look at the other team. I was fully focused.” | Be fully immersed. No distractions. |
Lessons from the faculty briefing
1. Understand the task clearly
Lecture example — Arjuna and the bird’s eye In the Mahabharata, the teacher Drona asks his students what they see when they aim at a wooden bird. Others say “the tree, the branch, the bird”. Arjuna says, “I see only the eye of the bird.” Be that sharp about your goal.
2. Know and use your resources
- Resources are materials and people.
- Know each person’s strengths and weaknesses, then give out roles wisely.
- Who stands on the crossbar? Who pulls the ropes?
3. Share the vision
- OBT has no named leader. Even a senior manager runs alongside a new joiner. All are equal.
- As the task goes on, someone emerges to coordinate.
- That person must make sure everyone knows the goal.
4. Review and correct
- Stop now and then to check progress.
- Change roles, give someone a rest, swap people, like geese changing their leader.
5. Planning time is never wasted
Everyone gives ideas. The leader weighs them and picks one plan.
Your idea wasn’t chosen? Drop it. Carry out the chosen plan with full energy, as if it were your own idea. That’s how a team wins.
The core aim of OBT: channel everyone’s energy towards the organisation’s goals.
In one line: Team tasks need a clear goal, the right person in each role, a shared vision, regular course correction, and full support for the final plan. Exam words: A-frame march, caterpillar walk, coordination, flat hierarchy, immersion, Arjuna and the bird’s eye, resource allocation, leaderless group, emerging leader, shared vision, course correction, planning, commit to the final plan.