Hot Hanky Tag: Hand It Off

A role-switching tag game: three taggers hold a hanky and, when they tag someone, hand it over; the new tagger spins once and starts chasing. Students practice reaction time, speed, and awareness of where the taggers are.

How to play

1. Set up a 20 x 15 m rectangle with cones. Give a hanky to 3 students: they are It (1 min).
2. On the whistle, the students with hankies chase everyone else, holding the hanky in their hand without tying or hiding it.
3. When a tagger touches someone, they hand the hanky to that player and become a runner.
4. The new tagger spins all the way around once, counts "one, two, three" out loud, and starts chasing.
5. No tag-backs: you cannot give the hanky back to the person who just handed it to you.
6. Play 2-minute rounds. On the final whistle, anyone holding a hanky does 5 jumps and passes it to someone new; play 4 rounds.

Rules

• Tag gently on the shoulder, arm, or back.
• Hand the hanky over; never throw it or snap it at anyone.
• No tag-backs on the person who gave you the hanky.
• Run with your eyes up so you don't collide with other taggers.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student holds the hanky and tags anyone within about 3 feet, or the area is made smaller.
• Visual impairment: play hand in hand with a sighted guide, and add a bell to the hanky so it can be heard.
• Fitness level: a student with lower fitness may hand the hanky to a classmate of their choice after 30 seconds without a tag.

Learning goals

• React quickly when switching from runner to tagger.
• Track where the hankies are and move away in time.
• Follow the no-tag-back rule.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hanky: 4
• cones: 6

Teacher tip

Constant role switching means no one sits out. If someone is stuck with the hanky for a long time, shrink the space around them or ask a classmate to let them get close.

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