Line Tag
A tag game where students may only walk or run on the painted lines of the court. It makes them scan the space, choose routes, and brake at intersections, and it works as a gradual warm-up with changes of pace.
How to play
- Use a court with painted lines, such as a basketball court. Every student starts standing on a line.
- Warm up for 2 minutes: walk the lines, then jog, and on each clap switch lines at the next intersection.
- Pick 3 taggers in pinnies. On the whistle they chase, staying on the lines just like the runners.
- A tagged student swaps pinnies with the tagger and counts to 3 before starting to tag.
- Play 2-minute rounds with a 20-second break. Change the way of moving each round: power walk, jog, side shuffle.
Rules
- Always keep at least one foot on a line; anyone who steps off becomes a tagger.
- No jumping from one line to another unless they touch.
- If two players meet head-on, either can back up or wait, but no pushing past.
- Tag with a gentle touch on the back or arm.
Variations
Easier
Play at a walk with two taggers.
Standard
Three taggers, 2-minute rounds, and different ways of moving.
Harder
The teacher bans one line color each round or adds a fourth tagger.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair can use the widest lines or travel within 3 ft of a line.
- Visual impairment: mark lines with textured tape or play with a guide on the main lines.
- Fitness level: a student who needs a rest can stop on a line corner marked as home base for 10 seconds.
Learning goals
- Find your way around the space by choosing routes along the lines.
- Control stopping and changes of direction.
- Raise activation gradually.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pinnies: 4
Teacher tip
Traffic jams at intersections are the typical problem: remind students they can back up. Before playing, walk the longest lines with the class so they know them.
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