Kick the Can Marco
Kick the Can Marco is a physical energy and tag-based warm-up exercise that combines the playground mechanics of Kick the Can and Marco Polo into a group improv warm-up. Participants play a guided chase-and-find game in which one or more players navigate toward others using verbal or auditory cues, building presence, listening, and physical ensemble awareness within a playful competitive frame.
Structure
Setup
The playing area is cleared of obstacles. One participant is designated as the seeker. The remaining participants scatter through the space.
Progression
The seeker navigates the space with eyes closed or limited vision while calling out "Marco" (or an agreed signal). Other participants must respond with "Polo" (or the paired signal) and may move through the space to avoid being tagged. When the seeker tags a participant, that participant joins the seeking team or takes on a new role as directed by the facilitator.
A central object -- the "can" -- is placed in the space. A participant who can reach and kick the can without being tagged earns a point or a specific advantage determined before the round begins.
Conclusion
The round ends after a set time limit, after all participants have been tagged, or when the group has reached a sufficient level of physical energy and ensemble connection to transition into the main rehearsal activity.
How to Teach It
Objectives
Kick the Can Marco targets physical energy activation, listening, spatial awareness, and the willingness to commit to play without overthinking. It is primarily a vehicle for generating physical and ensemble momentum at the start of a session.
How to Explain It
"This is a game, and games are supposed to be fun. When you're the seeker, really listen. When you're avoiding, really move. The whole point is to be fully in your body and fully in the room -- not thinking about the next exercise."
Scaffolding
For groups unfamiliar with either game, briefly explain the separate mechanics of Marco Polo and Kick the Can before combining them. Run a short demonstration round before opening to full group play. Adjust the size of the playing area to control the difficulty level: smaller spaces increase contact frequency and energy; larger spaces reward sustained listening.
Common Pitfalls
The exercise loses momentum when participants disengage from the game and treat it as optional participation. The energy of the warm-up depends on full commitment to both the seeking and the avoiding. Coach participants who are standing still or watching from the edges to re-enter the play.
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How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Kick the Can Marco. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/kick-the-can-marco
The Improv Archive. "Kick the Can Marco." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/kick-the-can-marco.
The Improv Archive. "Kick the Can Marco." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/kick-the-can-marco. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.