Capture the Flag (Multiteam)

Grades K - 6

Equipment: Lots of Cones, 8 or more Pool Noodles (or Rubber Animals, etc.), 4 Hula Hoops, a long Rope (if you're playing outside)

Description:

This game is very similar to basic capture the flag, except the play area is divided into four opposing sides which makes for a few changes.

• Place cones along the half court line and down the whole middle of the court (long ways). This divides the court into four equal sections. If you're outside, use a long rope and or some cones to help the students identify the four sides easily.

• Place a cone in each outer corner of each section. These cones are for the jails.

• Place a hula hoop in the center of each section, along with at least 2 pool noodles.

• Divide students as equally as possible (by number and skill) into 2 teams.

• Players should try to get pool noodles located in the other team's hula hoops and bring it back to their own side and place it in their hula hoop (players are not allowed to throw or purposely drop the flag). If they can do this, without getting tagged while in another team's side, their team receives a point (if you're keeping score). But if the player is tagged, they go immediately to that team's jail (the cone in that team's back corner) and wait for their turn to be rescued.

• Remind students to tag softly and follow tag game rules: No head, no face, no chest, no waist (waist meaning private areas below the belt). Players should be moving under control, so as to prevent dangerous collisions. No sliding, diving, 360's, etc. If you're playing in the gym, have students play within the basketball court, avoiding the walls and steps.

• A player may not get someone out of jail if they already have a flag (only one thing at a time). If a player can tag the cone representing the jail before getting tagged, they can get one teammate out of jail (they must choose the player who's been waiting the LONGEST - should be the first person in line by the cone). Both players then get "free walk backs," but must WALK back TOGETHER to their own team's side with their hands held up high in the air. Once they cross over to their own team's side, they can start playing again.

• Aside from a player's own section, and when standing with at least one foot in a hula hoop, there's no safety zones in capture the flag multiteam.

• Consider calling "Jail Break" every few minutes or so. This helps students who have been stuck in jail for a long time to get back in the game. Also, you could consider giving them the option of doing exercises to get out of jail early.

• Players are not allowed to form a solid line/wall/circle of defenders. If they wish to guard their flag and or prisoners, they have to keep 3 steps away from the jail and flags, and at least 3 steps from each other while guarding.

• If there's disagreements, consider solving it with rock-paper-scissors.

• For younger students, keep it simple. Consider demonstrating the game before hand and playing with them for the first few rounds or more to help them better understand the game. Have the younger students return to their side to do 10 jumping jacks if tagged, rather than having a jail, this can help make the game much simpler for them. Otherwise, I suggest calling "Jail Break" more often.