Prisoner's Base
An old chase game played between two facing bases, where you can tag any opponent who left their base before you did. Students build strategy, speed, awareness of opponents and fair play.
How to play
- Use cones to mark a 130 × 65 ft field split into two halves. At the back of each half is a home base (a 6 ft strip), and in one corner of the opponents' half is a 10 × 10 ft prison. Two teams in different colored pinnies.
- Key rule: you can tag an opponent who left their base before you. Whoever leaves later has power over whoever left earlier. To renew your power, go back and touch your base.
- Players leave base to tease opponents. Anyone tagged by an opponent who has power over them goes to the other team's prison.
- Prisoners make a hand chain reaching from the prison toward their side. A free teammate can rescue them by touching the last prisoner's hand without getting tagged.
- Play 3 periods of 6 minutes. The team holding more prisoners at the end of each period earns a point; then prisons are emptied.
- Between periods (1 min), each team agrees on a plan: who teases, who guards the base and who rescues.
Rules
- Only the player who left base later can tag; when in doubt, the teacher decides.
- Tag with a hand on the back or arm, no grabbing.
- Tagged players walk to prison with a hand raised.
- Safety: no tackling or pushing; wear athletic shoes and play on a clear surface.
Variations
Easier
Each player tucks a flag or pinnie in their waistband and tags by pulling it, so it's clear who was caught.
Standard
Power goes to the later leaver, prison chain rescues and three periods.
Harder
Add a flag in each base: a team that steals it without being tagged wins the period.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student guards the base and can tag with a pool noodle anyone who enters their 10 ft zone.
- Autism: explain the power rule with a drawing beforehand and give the student a first role as assistant referee.
- Fitness level: fast players must touch their base with both hands to renew their power.
Learning goals
- Make decisions based on when you and your opponents left base.
- Work with the team on attacking, defending and rescuing.
- Learn about and appreciate a centuries-old traditional game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 16
- pinnies: 25
Teacher tip
The power rule takes a while to click, so play one slow round walking. Have taggers call out the opponent's name to cut down on arguments.
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