Flag Tail Fartlek: Short Chases on the Run
Partners jog together across a large area and, at each whistle, one chases the other for 15 seconds to pull their flag. It is a game-based fartlek that mixes easy continuous running with short surges, changes of direction, and dodging.
How to play
- Mark a 50 x 40 m area with cones. Each student puts on a flag belt with one flag on the side of the hip. Pair up students of similar ability (2 min).
- Partners jog side by side around the whole area at a conversational pace.
- On a long whistle, the student on the left chases the student on the right for 15 seconds to pull the flag. Two short whistles end the chase: they return the flag and go back to jogging together.
- Each 4-min block has about 6 chases, alternating who chases. Each flag pulled is worth one point.
- Between blocks, walk for 1 min and take a 15-second pulse count. Run 3 blocks and switch partners for the last one.
- One-minute wrap-up: compare heart rate after each block and talk about how well students recovered between chases.
Rules
- Flags may only be pulled from the belt: no grabbing clothing or pushing.
- Jog between chases; do not walk or stop.
- Look around before surging to avoid running into other pairs.
Variations
Easier
Shorten chases to 10 seconds and lengthen the jogging between them.
Standard
Run three 4-minute blocks with 15-second chases every half minute.
Harder
Use 20-second chases with two flags per student and less jogging between whistles.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: play in a wheelchair with a flag tied to the backrest, on a smooth surface, with a partner who is also wheeling or walking.
- Deaf or hard of hearing: the teacher raises a flag to start each chase and lowers it to end it.
- Mixed fitness levels: pair by ability and switch partners only within similar groups.
Learning goals
- Alternate easy running and short surges continuously.
- Improve changes of direction and dodging while running.
- Follow contact rules in a chase game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- flag belts: 25
- whistle: 1
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Students tend to stop when a chase ends, so stress that the easy jog is what trains recovery.
PatioLab has "Flag Tail Fartlek: Short Chases on the Run" and 3999 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for Middle School
1-2-3 Touch Cooperative Rally
Two groups of three, one on each side of the net, work together to keep the longest rally possible in three phases: one touch, two touches, and three touches per side.
1-on-1 Mini Volleyball Up and Down the River
One-on-one mini volleyball duels on 3 x 3 m courts under a rope 2 m high, using a receive, self-set and send rule.
1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball
One-on-one games on narrow 10 x 20 foot courts where each player must self-pass before sending the ball over.
1-on-1 Side-Step Square Duels
In pairs, inside 5 x 5 m squares, an attacker holding a football tries to get from the starting side to the far side without the defender pulling a flag.
1v1 Four-Gate Soccer Duels
In a square with a gate on each side, two players go head to head and score by dribbling through any of the four gates.
2-on-1 Fast Break with a Chasing Defender
Two attackers push a fast break against a defender waiting at the basket while a second defender chases from behind with a few yards' head start against them.