In an embodiment, a user equipment (UE) detects that a user has made a pre-defined gesture that is associated with setting up a group communication session (GCS) with a communication group. The UE transmits a call request message to an application server to request set-up of the GCS. In another embodiment, the UE receives a user input requesting the UE to monitor for gestures by a user of the UE during the GCS. The UE then monitors one or more sensors during the GCS to detect whether the user of the UE has made a pre-defined gesture. In another embodiment, during the GCS, the UE detects that the user has made a pre-defined gesture, maps the detected gesture to a gesture-based command associated with transitioning the UE's floor-holder status and then transmits a request to facilitate the floor-holder status transition to the application server in accordance with the gesture-based command.