HysteriCoach is a party game simulating the chaos of coaching a football (soccer) match. Players split into two teams, each with a designated “coach” and multiple “players.” The coach sees an action card showing the required formation and must guide their team to position wooden soccer player pieces on the field — but the coach can only communicate through gestures and by calling out names of real soccer players, never by pointing or using numbers. When the formation matches the card, the team attempts to score by rolling a die. It is a frantic, hilarious communication game.
Components
1 Game Board (football/soccer field)
Wooden soccer player pieces (for both teams)
Action cards (showing required formations)
Die (for scoring attempts)
Timer (optional)
Setup
Place the game board (football field) in the center.
Divide all participants into two equal teams.
Each team designates one person as the “coach” — the rest are “players.”
Place wooden soccer player pieces on the field in starting positions.
Shuffle the action cards and place them face down.
Turn Structure
Each round represents one play:
Draw action card: The coach draws an action card and looks at it secretly. The card shows where each wooden soccer player piece must be positioned on the field.
Coach communicates: The coach attempts to guide their team players to move the wooden pieces into the correct formation.
Players move pieces: Team players move the wooden soccer player pieces based on the coach’s instructions.
Confirmation: When the coach believes the formation is correct, they shout “PASS IT!” for intermediate positions and “SHOOOOOT!!!” for the final position.
Scoring attempt: If the formation matches the action card, the last player who moved a piece rolls the die to attempt a goal.
Actions
Coach Actions (Allowed)
Call out names of real soccer players (e.g., “Messi!”, “Ronaldo!”) to indicate which wooden piece should move.
Use hand gestures and mime to indicate direction and distance.
Shout “PASS IT!” when an intermediate position is correct.
Shout “SHOOOOOT!!!” when the final formation is achieved.
Coach Actions (Forbidden)
Pointing directly at wooden soccer player pieces.
Calling pieces by number or color.
Talking or giving verbal directions beyond calling player names.
Touching the wooden pieces.
Player Actions
Move wooden soccer player pieces on the field based on the coach’s gestural instructions.
Interpret which piece the coach is referring to by the real player name called.
Penalties
If the coach performs a forbidden action, the team receives a penalty.
Penalties may result in the opposing team gaining advantage or a free scoring opportunity.
Scoring / Victory Conditions
When a team correctly reproduces the formation on the action card, they roll the die to score a goal.
The game is played over a set number of rounds (action cards).
The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.
Special Rules & Edge Cases
Real player names only: Coaches must use the names of actual soccer players, not the names of the people at the table or generic descriptions.
No pointing: Any form of pointing at the board pieces is a foul resulting in a penalty.
Simultaneous play variant: Both teams can play simultaneously for added chaos.
Coach rotation: Teams may rotate the coach role between rounds for variety.
Incomplete formations: If time runs out before the formation is complete, no scoring attempt is made.