Mungan Mungan: Aboriginal Steal-the-Grub Game
An Aboriginal game from northern Australia in which one team guards an object, the mungan, placed in the middle of its area, while the other team tries to steal it and bring it home without being tagged. It builds attacking and defending strategy, speed and faking.
How to play
- Share the origin: in the traditional game, the mungan stands for a white grub that was prized as food, and one group defends it from those who want to take it. Mark 2 fields of 65 x 50 feet with cones, each with a hoop in the center holding a handkerchief.
- On each field, two teams of 6 in pinnies play: one defends the mungan and the other attacks from its end line, which is home.
- Defenders may not enter a 6-foot circle around the hoop. Attackers leave home whenever they choose and try to grab the handkerchief and run back without being tagged.
- If a defender tags an attacker, the attacker must go back and touch the home line before trying again; if carrying the handkerchief, they drop it where tagged and a defender returns it to the hoop.
- The attacking team scores a point every time it brings the handkerchief home. Each attack lasts 2 minutes, then roles switch.
- Play 4 attacks per team and switch opponents halfway. Before each attack, give the team 20 seconds to agree on a plan.
Rules
- Tag with a hand on the back or shoulders; no grabbing or pushing.
- Safety: run with your head up, and if two players are about to collide, both slow down.
- The handkerchief may not be thrown; it is carried by hand.
Variations
Easier
Only two defenders may tag at a time while the rest wait on the sideline to sub in.
Standard
The whole team defends with a 6-foot free zone.
Harder
Two handkerchiefs in two separate hoops, and attackers must bring both home to score.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility: attack from a closer home line, and if tagged, only go back 10 feet.
- Autism or shyness: start as the team's lookout, calling tips from the sideline, before joining the running.
- Fitness: free substitutions with teammates on the sideline every minute.
Learning goals
- Plan as a team how to attack and defend a target.
- Use fakes and changes of pace to get past a defender.
- Learn about the traditional games of Aboriginal Australian peoples.
Equipment for a class of 25
- handkerchiefs: 2
- hoops: 2
- cones: 16
- pinnies: 24
Teacher tip
If attackers aren't taking risks, count down the last 20 seconds out loud.
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