Hopping Tag

A tag game where everyone, taggers and runners alike, travels by hopping on one foot and switches feet on every whistle. It builds dynamic balance, leg strength, and decision making in a tight space.

How to play

1. Mark a 50 by 50 ft square with cones and give pinnies to three taggers (1 min).
2. Practice: everyone hops for 20 seconds, switching feet on each whistle. Practice stopping and turning without putting the other foot down (2 min).
3. One-minute rounds with 30-second breaks: a tagger touches someone on the shoulder or back and hands over the pinnie, swapping roles. The teacher whistles every 15 seconds to switch feet (5 min).
4. Anyone who needs to put both feet down counts to three in place and keeps going; only during that count are they safe (part of the rounds).
5. Final round with four pinnies in a 40 by 40 ft square. Finish by shaking out the legs and sharing which foot was easier (4 min).

Rules

• Tag with an open hand on the shoulder or back, never pushing.
• No running: a runner who puts both feet down to escape can be tagged right away.
• If someone falls, the game stops immediately.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: tag with a pool noodle from a marked lane that others must hop across.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: also signal the foot switch with a colored card.
• Fitness level: students who tire switch to two-foot jumps for 10 seconds; strong movers stay on one foot all round.

Learning goals

• Keep balance on one foot while changing direction.
• Decide when to escape, stop, or rest based on where the taggers are.
• Follow contact rules and role changes.

Equipment for a class of 25

• pinnies: 4
• cones: 4
• whistle: 1

Teacher tip

Hopping is tiring: short rounds and real breaks keep kids from putting their foot down all the time. Make sure the surface is dry and free of gravel first.

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