Guarded Controls: Find Them Without Getting Tagged
In pairs, students use a map to find the playground controls and collect one clothespin from each, while four taggers in pinnies try to tag them. Tagged players are not out: they do a quick challenge at the hospital cone and return. It builds map reading, dodging and decision-making.
How to play
- Place 8 numbered control cones with 15 clothespins each at the spots marked on the map, plus a hospital cone in the middle.
- Pick 4 taggers in pinnies. Everyone else gets into pairs, each with a map showing the 8 controls.
- On the signal, pairs visit the controls in any order and take one clothespin at each. Taggers may not come within 2 yards of a control.
- If a tagger tags either partner, both go to the hospital cone, do 5 jumping jacks and rejoin the game.
- Each round lasts 4 minutes. Afterward, count clothespins and switch taggers. Play four rounds.
- At the end, the class talks about which routes were safest and why.
Rules
- Taggers use an open hand on shoulders or back, no pushing.
- The 2-yard zone around each control is a safe zone: no tagging there.
- Partners always stay together and share the map.
- One clothespin per control per round.
Variations
Easier
Only 2 taggers, who walk, and very visible controls.
Standard
Four taggers, 8 controls and a challenge at the hospital cone.
Harder
Controls must be collected in number order, and the map shows out-of-bounds areas that cannot be crossed.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student is a tagger with a 3-yard reach zone, or searches with a partner and carries a hoop that acts as a moving safe zone.
- Visual impairment: the student goes with a guide partner, and taggers may tag only the guide.
- Fitness level: very fit taggers must speed-walk instead of running.
Learning goals
- Read a map while making decisions under pressure.
- Dodge taggers by choosing safe routes.
- Cooperate with a partner to plan the route.
Equipment for a class of 25
- maps: 11
- clothespins: 120
- pinnies: 4
- cones: 9
Teacher tip
Remind taggers their job is to make it tricky, not to chase the same students every time. Space the controls far apart so the safe zones do not overlap and leave no place to tag.
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