Foxes, Hens, and Snakes Tag
A three-team tag game: foxes tag hens, hens tag snakes, and snakes tag foxes. Every player is chasing and being chased at the same time, so students practice quick decisions, dodging, and teamwork to rescue teammates.
How to play
- Form three teams of 8 (one of 9) in three pinnie colors. On a 30 x 20 yd area, use cones to mark three 3 x 3 yd home bases, each with a jail next to it (2 min).
- Explain the cycle: foxes tag hens, hens tag snakes, and snakes tag foxes. Players must watch both their target and their chaser.
- On the whistle everyone leaves home. A player tagged by their chaser goes to the tagging team's jail and waits with an arm stretched out.
- A teammate frees a prisoner with a high five; both walk back with a hand raised and cannot be tagged.
- Play 4-minute rounds: each team scores a point for every prisoner in its jail. Then everyone is released.
- Between rounds, give 1 minute to decide who chases, who guards, and who rescues. Play 4 rounds.
Rules
- Tag with an open hand on the back or shoulders; no pushing or grabbing clothes.
- No one can be tagged inside a home base or a jail.
- Players walking back from a rescue with a hand raised may not tag.
- Look where you run: paths cross constantly, so avoid collisions.
Variations
Easier
Start with two teams chasing in one direction and add the third team later.
Standard
Three teams with jails and high-five rescues in 4-minute rounds.
Harder
Each team has a secret captain worth three points if tagged.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: tag with a short pool noodle and rescue just by reaching the edge of the jail.
- Autism or trouble with the cycle: give a picture card of the cycle and a buddy guide for the first round.
- Fitness level: tired students rest 20 seconds at home; very fast students tag with their non-dominant hand.
Learning goals
- Decide quickly between chasing, escaping, or rescuing.
- Plan and adjust a team strategy.
- Follow safe tagging and safe-zone rules.
Equipment for a class of 25
- colored pinnies: 27
- cones: 24
Teacher tip
Students usually all chase and forget their own chaser: stop after two minutes and ask, 'Who are you running from?' Use very different pinnie colors.
PatioLab has "Foxes, Hens, and Snakes Tag" and 2499 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for Elementary
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.
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-2 Mini Volleyball with a Neutral Setter
Two-on-two mini volleyball with a neutral setter under the rope who always plays for the team with the ball.
2v1 Attack Waves to Mini Goals
Two attackers take on one defender and try to score on a small goal in under 10 seconds.
3v1 Basketball Keep-Away Squares
In coned squares, three players pass the ball without dribbling while one defender in the middle tries to intercept.
3v3 Mini-Volleyball with Set Passes
Small-sided 3v3 mini-volleyball on small courts, with a bonus for building the play with a set.