HANDBOOK
UNITED WAY Rock Paper Scissors Survivor Challenge
On Thursday, September 24, the FIRST (and hopefully) ANNUAL
United Way ROCK PAPER SCISSORS SURVIVOR 2015 CHALLENGE will commence! Each
workplace campaign is encouraged to organize their very own ROCK PAPER SCISSORS (RPS)
Tournament in order to name a WINNER for the final bracket on September 24th.
(Let’s get ready to “THROW” DOWN!!!!)
This year “CHANGING REALITY” is the theme of the United Way campaign and through this
fun ROCK PAPER SCISSORS SURVIVOR TOURNAMENT we ask,
“Will YOU ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE?”
SAVE THE DATE
United Way
Rock Paper Scissors
SURVIVOR
2015 Challenge
Thursday, September 24th
#RPSChallenge
UNITED WAY RPS SURVIVOR CHALLENGE t-shirts will be
available for your team. Order deadline is Wednesday,
September 9th. The “-mark-up” of the shirts you sell will
count toward your United Way fundraising total. Shirts
are $10 each or $12 when you add your logo to the
sleeve. To place your final order please visit
www.unitedwaycemo.org (>OurCampaign>Campaign
Materials> RPS T-shirt Order Form)
Or contact [email protected] with
questions. Shirt design will follow via email. T-shirt order
form is included in this handbook. See page 9.
POST or TAG your progress on FACEBOOK.com/UnitedWayofCentralMissouri or
on TWITTER @UnitedWayCeMo using #RPSChallenge and #LiveUnited!
HOW YOU can SUPPORT your Rock Paper Scissors WINNER
on Thursday, September 24th, the day of the CHALLENGE:
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BRING your employees / support team to the event
Reserve a tailgate or tent spot for your group / preparation area for your WINNER
Costumes are encouraged!
Refreshment options will be available at the CHALLENGE on September 24th
More details regarding event to follow via your internal campaign coordinator
DATES / DEADLINES to remember:
SEPTEMBER 9– RPS T-shirt orders due / order online at www.unitedwaycemo.org / see page 2
SEPTEMEBER 18– WINNER names submitted to [email protected] / see page 3
SEPTEMBER 24– United Way Rock Paper Scissors Survivor Challenge
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HOW to raise funds and name a WINNER
OPTION 1
 RPS Survivor Challenges between CO-WORKERS
o FOR EXAMPLE - LOSER pays $1? $2? $5? (or whatever the two challengers decide.) All proceeds
/ winnings from challenges go to UNITED WAY. A designated “BANKER” should keep money
and totals for players. The player that earns the most in challenges is the WINNER and
represents the organization at the TOURNAMENT on Thursday, September 24th. (YES … a
tracking system will be needed.) For the most enthusiastic players, offer DO-OVERS for a $fee!
OPTION 2
 TOURNAMENT BRACKET – Brackets are included in this email. You may charge (NOTHING, $5, or any
amount you choose) to staff (or ANYONE) interested in participating, then draw for spots on the
bracket. If you have an ODD number, remember you can draw for a “bye”. (An experienced sports
enthusiast, familiar with tournament brackets would be a perfect “TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR” for your
event.) WINNER represents your organization at the TOURNAMENT on September 24 th. You may refer
to the web for sample tournament brackets or see pages 4 and 5. (AND … offer DO-OVERS! A great
way to generate more $$$!)
OPTION 3
 SPLATTER BOARD with BRACKET – TWO POOLS (A and B) are required to create a SPLATTER BOARD.
You MUST have enough for at least 8 players in each pool.
o SPLATTER BOARD (with 8 players on each side / 16 players total) will allow for 64 squares to be
sold. For example, each square can be sold for $10. For a total of $640. Winner takes half
$320 and half is donated to United Way.
o FINAL 8 in each bracket (A Pool and B Pool) are PLACED on SPLATTER BOARD before challenges
take place. Purchasers of the squares can then follow along to see if they have a chance to win
the “pot”.
o Consider DO-OVERs (for a fee) for players that are intent on making it to the end!
o FINAL TWO of each bracket determines winner of SPLATTER BOARD.
o WINNER of TOURNAMENT represents your organization at Tournament on September 24th.
o For sample brackets and splatter board, see pages 4 and 5.
OPTION 4
 DO ANYTHING YOU LIKE! Watch for emails with ideas from other WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS.
WHERE do the CHALLENGES TAKE place? ANYWHERE you want! Sell snacks during the Challenges!
 Early Bird Challenge before work hours in the lobby
 High Noon Challenge in the lunch room
 Afterhours Challenge, off site or in the boss’s office
 If everyone is not in the same location … consider FACETIME / Virtual Challenges!
SEE OFFICIAL USA ROCK PAPER SCISSORS RULES on pages 6, 7, 8
PLEASE email your WINNER’S name to Sarah at [email protected]
before Friday, September 18.
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SAMPLE SPLATTER BOARD below:
SQUARES on
SPLATTER board are
sold prior to filling in
TOP 16 “throwers”.
After TOP 8 for each
POOL is decided, they
can be placed on the
SPLATTER BOARD.
United Way will hold
any unsold squares and
will win all $$ if that
square wins. TWO
POOLS / brackets MUST
be formed in order to
guarantee that the top
8 from each are placed
appropriately on the
splatter board. Sample
bracket below.
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There is INDEED a USARPS League. Please see the following pages for the official rules.
USA Rock Paper Scissors / USARPS
The Rules
These are the USA Rock Paper Scissors League rules (USARPS League). Please note that they are modified from
International Rules. If any players from other countries are playing, make sure to apprise them that they are
playing by the American rules.
The Basics
Rock Paper Scissors is played between two players - male or female, young or old, naughty or nice. It’s an
equal opportunity sport. No equipment is necessary, though some players prefer to wear "throwing gloves"
for maximum comfort and intimidation. All you need is an arm, and a wrist, and fingers. It is best to wear loose
fitting clothes, and pre-game stretching and manicures are strongly encouraged.
The Throws
There are three permissible "throws" in RPS: Rock, Paper and Scissors. Rock crushes scissors, scissors cuts
paper, and paper covers rock. There are NO exceptions. When two players "shoot" the same throw, it is a
stalemate and they must throw again.
A player who makes an illegal throw – including but not limited to "Hang Loose," "Fire," "Water," "The Bird,"
"The Fonz," "Su-Fi," "Live Long and Prosper," "Texas Longhorn," "This Big," or "I’ve Got Your Nose" – will lose a
point and may be disqualified.
Rock can be thrown any way as long as the fist is clenched, as if you’re squeezing the life out of Stuart Little.
Scissors is formed with your index finger and middle finger extended and shaped like a "V". It can be thrown
horizontally or vertically (Please note that international rules differ).
Paper is formed by extending all your fingers out, as if you’re about to clap your hands. It is always delivered
horizontally. Never vertically. Paper is traditionally thrown palm down, but may be delivered palm up, which is
called "The Subpoena." Serving the subpoena is considered arrogant, but can be very effective when used
properly.
The Action
The "Pump" consists of closing a fist, holding it out in front of your body with elbow bent at a 45 degree angle,
and thrusting it up and down three times. This must be done IN SYNC with the opposing player. Players are
allowed to chant "RO-SHAM-BO" to help get in sync. In fact, it is even encouraged.
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The "Shoot" is when a player actually delivers the throw. It comes after the first three pumps. Players may
follow shouting "RO-SHAM-BO" with "SHOOT." The delivery of the shoot must be in sync with the opponent. If
the shoot or the pump is not in sync at any time, the referee may declare the action dead, or penalize the
player at fault. Point is: be in sync. Seriously.
Each "engagement" begins with a referee raising his hand vertically between the two opponents and saying
the word "engage!" (Please note: in international play, this is commonly stated as "en garde") The referee’s
call cues the players to "pump." If for some reason you don’t have a referee, it is up to the players to cue the
action.
The Gameplay
Each throw is considered an "engagement." The best of three "engagements" is a "bout." The best of three
"bouts" is a "match."
All referees’ calls are final. Instant replay has not yet been instituted in RPS. There is no post-match arbitration
allowed, so deal with it, crybaby.
Glossary
Bout: The best of three engagements is a bout.
Cradling the Pump: The throwing technique where players position their off-hand horizontally and pound
their throwing hand into it with each pumping thrust.
Engage: Word spoken by the referee to cue players to pump.
Engagement: Each throw is considered one.
Faux pump: A shady maneuver used to rattle your opponent by intentionally throwing on the second pump
instead of the third. This maneuver is highly illegal.
Fist: Term for a hand clenched like a ball.
Left for Dead: When right-handers make a well-timed left-handed throw to throw off their opponent.
Match: The best of three bouts is a match.
Paper: One of three permissible throws. Must always be delivered horizontally. It is traditionally thrown palm
down, but may be delivered palm up.
Peace Out: When a player wins with scissors, they may shift their wrist into a "peace sign" and arrogantly
exclaim "Peace Out”.
Pump: Action consisting of closing a fist, holding it out in front of you, and thrusting it up and down three
times.
Rock: One of three permissible throws. Can be delivered any way as long as fist is clenched.
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Roshambo: Nickname for RPS. Named for the great Count de Rochambeau of England, who defeated General
Lord Cornwallis of Britain with an epic game of Rock Paper Scissors.
RPS: Hip acronym for "Rock Paper Scissors."
Scissors: One of three permissible throws. Can be delivered horizontally or vertically.
Shoot: The action in which a player delivers rock, paper or scissors. See "Throw."
Speed-pumping: When you increase the velocity of your pumping to put your opponent in a momentary panic
attack. All their strategy will go out the window, and they will often settle with rock because rock is already
formed to begin with, and takes no extra brainpower to throw.
Stalemate: A tie. Rock against rock. Scissors against scissors. Paper against paper. You get the point.
Subpoena: The term for paper delivered palm up. It is considered cocky to serve a subpoena.
Throw: The action in which a player delivers rock, paper or scissors. See "Shoot."
Throwing Gloves: Custom fingerless gloves designed for Rock Paper Scissors athletes.
USARPS League: America's official Rock Paper Scissors League. It's true.
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Questions? Contact [email protected]