Exercise Tag
A tag game where students who get tagged aren't out: they go to an exercise station, complete a strength challenge, and jump back in. It builds intermittent endurance, agility, and strength while every student stays on the move.
How to play
- Mark a 30 x 20 m (about 100 x 65 feet) area with cones and set a station in each corner with a challenge card: 10 squats, 10 jumping jacks, 5 push-ups, or a 20-second plank (2 min).
- Pick 4 taggers in pinnies. Everyone else spreads out (1 min).
- On the signal, taggers try to tag others on the back or shoulder. Anyone tagged goes to the nearest station, completes the challenge, and rejoins the game.
- Every 2 minutes, switch taggers: they hand their pinnie to someone who hasn't had one yet (8 minutes of play total).
- 1-minute break to get water and swap the challenge cards for new ones.
- Final 3-minute round: taggers can free a student from a station with a high five, and that student joins them as a tagger.
Rules
- Tag with an open hand on the shoulders or back, with no pushing or grabbing clothes.
- Stepping out of bounds counts as being tagged.
- Finish the full station challenge before rejoining.
- Nobody can be tagged while at a station.
Variations
Easier
Only 3 taggers and fewer reps per challenge.
Standard
Four taggers, four stations, and a switch every 2 minutes.
Harder
Shrink the area and add a sprint to the center and back to each challenge.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: tag with a pool noodle for extra reach, or do an adapted challenge from the wheelchair.
- Deaf or hard of hearing: start and end each round by raising a colored cone.
- Lower fitness level: choose the easier version of each challenge (wall push-ups, knee plank).
Learning goals
- Improve intermittent endurance through play.
- Use changes of direction and fakes to dodge.
- Blend strength exercises into the game without stopping anyone's participation.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pinnies: 4
- cones: 8
- challenge cards: 8
Teacher tip
Nobody gets eliminated, but watch for lines at a station; if one forms, add a fifth station at the middle of a sideline. Rotate taggers often so they don't burn out.
PatioLab has "Exercise Tag" and 1299 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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