← All Warm-ups
Zip Zap Zoop (also called Zip Zap Zop) is a classic improv warm-up that trains attention, eye contact and quick reflexes. The whole group stands in a circle and passes an energy impulse around using three short sound words.
Setup
Everyone stands in a circle, facing the centre. The circle should be tight enough that everyone can see everyone else clearly.
How to play
- One player starts by pointing at any other player in the circle, making clear eye contact, and saying "zip!"
- The receiver immediately turns to another player, points, makes eye contact and also says "zip!" The "zip" travels through the circle this way.
- At any point a receiving player can answer "zap!" to the person who just pointed at them. The sender then has to immediately turn around, point at someone else, and start a new "zip" in another direction.
- A player who receives a "zip" can also say "zoop!" and point at any player anywhere in the circle. That player picks up the "zip" and continues from there.
The game runs continuously until the energy drops or the facilitator stops it.
Tips
- Eye contact is the whole point. Always look at the person you're sending the impulse to. Don't just throw the word into the room.
- Point clearly with your hand. A vague gesture creates ambiguity about who the receiver is.
- Stay loose and bouncy. A relaxed body and open posture make reactions faster.
- Smile and bring energy. This is a warm-up - bored players slow the whole circle down.
Common mistakes
- Sending blindly. The receiver hasn't even noticed they're being addressed because there was no eye contact.
- Pushing the speed too early. The point isn't to be fast - it's to find a shared rhythm. Once that's there, speed grows naturally.
- Hesitating with "zap" or "zoop". Once you decide to use them, commit immediately, otherwise the flow breaks.
Variants
- Just zip. For beginners, only use "zip" - no "zap" or "zoop". This builds the basic eye-contact-and-point reflex first.
- Add a fourth word. Some groups add a word like "boing" with its own rule (e.g. duck and the impulse passes over you).
- Whispered round. Play one round whispering the words. Forces attention to gesture and body.
- Walking version. Drop the circle and walk through the room while passing the impulse. Much harder.