Protect the King Flag Tag

Two teams wearing flag belts try to pull the flag of the other team's secret king while protecting their own. Players must watch carefully, use decoys, and organize bodyguards. Students practice strategy, dodging, and managing emotions.

How to play

1. Mark a 40 x 25 yd field with a 'first aid' cone on each end line. Two teams of 12 or 13 in two pinnie colors, each player wearing a two-flag belt (3 min).
2. Each team secretly hands out cards: whoever gets the crown is king. The teacher writes down the kings.
3. On the whistle, play anywhere on the field pulling flags. A player with no flags goes to their first aid cone, puts them back on, and returns.
4. A player who loses a flag says out loud whether they are the king. If the king falls, the round ends and the tagging team scores 3 points.
5. If no king falls in 4 minutes, the team that pulled more flags scores 1 point.
6. Between rounds, give 1 minute to pick a new king and plan bodyguards, decoys, and attacks. Play 4 rounds.

Rules

• Only flags may be pulled: no grabbing the player or their clothes.
• Players may not cover or hold their own flags.
• Lying about being king cancels the round for your team.
• Slow down and reach to pull a flag; never dive.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: be the first aid keeper or wear flags at shoulder height.
• Emotional regulation: agree that no one is king twice and praise good bodyguard plays.
• Fitness level: slower players act as decoys, where fooling opponents matters more than speed.

Learning goals

• Plan as a team how to protect and attack.
• Watch opponents to figure out who the king is.
• Handle winning or losing a round with good sportsmanship.

Equipment for a class of 25

• flag belts: 25
• colored pinnies: 25
• cones: 10
• cards: 26

Teacher tip

A team that surrounds its king with everyone gives the king away: let it happen once and ask why the king fell so fast. Check that flags sit on the hips.

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