🥊🏟️ Rocky's Ring

Step into the ring and fight for improvement—celebrate our knockouts, dodge the punches, and train for the next championship sprint!
45–60 min
4-12 people
Based on: Start, Stop, Continue
🥊🏟️ Rocky's Ring

Template Columns

🚀💪 Start the Training

Identify new habits and practices to begin powering our sprint like Rocky’s training regimen.

Base column: Start
🛑🥊 Stop the Bad Habits

Pinpoint actions that are slowing us down, like a missed jab, and agree to drop them.

Base column: Stop
🏅🏃‍♂️ Continue the Winning Streak

Highlight the strengths we’ll keep punching forward to maintain momentum.

Base column: Continue

About this template

A high‑energy sprint retrospective where the team decides what to start, stop, and continue, using a boxing‑ring metaphor to spark engagement.

When to use this template

Use when you want a lively, action‑focused session that highlights quick wins and eliminates blockers in a fun, competitive style.

How to facilitate

1

Gather the team, set a timer, and introduce the Rocky’s Ring theme, explaining the three columns: Start the Training, Stop the Bad Habits, Continue the Winning Streak

2

Ask each participant to write short, concrete items for each column on virtual sticky notes, using the boxing metaphor to keep language vivid

3

Group similar items together, then have the team vote on the most impactful ideas in each column using dot voting or emoji reactions

4

Facilitate a brief discussion on the top‑voted items, clarifying what success looks like and who will own each action

5

Summarize the agreed‑upon start, stop, and continue actions, record them in the sprint board, and close the session with a quick motivational chant or cheer

Pro Tips

Limit each participant to three items per column to keep the board focused and manageable

Use a timer for each column (e.g., 8 minutes) to maintain momentum and prevent over‑analysis

Assign a “coach” role to rotate each sprint so a different team member leads the theme and keeps the format fresh

FAQ

What if the team struggles to come up with items for a column?

Prompt with specific examples related to the sprint, such as missed deadlines for Stop or new tools tried for Start, and allow silent brainstorming before sharing.

How do we ensure actions don’t become vague promises?

Require each agreed action to include a clear owner, a measurable outcome, and a deadline that aligns with the next sprint planning.

Can this format work for non‑technical teams?

Absolutely; the boxing metaphor is adaptable to any context, and the start‑stop‑continue structure focuses on behaviors rather than technical details.

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At a glance

  • Duration

    45–60 min

  • Team Size

    4-12 people

  • Columns

    3 columns

  • Base Format

    Start, Stop, Continue

Tags

action-oriented
team engagement
start-stop-continue
fun
sprint improvement

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective