Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag
Partners play rock, paper, scissors on the center line, and the winner chases the loser back to their safe zone. It mixes a familiar game with short sprints and makes students react very quickly to the result.
How to play
- Mark a center line and two safe zones 25 ft away on each side with cones. Partners face each other on the center line.
- Warm up for 1 minute: partners play rock, paper, scissors with their whole bodies, jumping together, without chasing.
- Now with hands: on three, every pair plays. The winner chases, and the loser turns and runs to their safe zone.
- If the winner tags them before the safe zone, they score a point. On a tie, they play again right away.
- Both jog back to the middle and find a new partner. Each round lasts about 20 seconds.
- Play about 12 rounds. In the second half, a tagged player does 3 jumping jacks before finding a new partner.
Rules
- All pairs play at the same time on rock, paper, scissors, shoot.
- Your safe zone is the one behind you.
- Tag with a touch on the back, no pushing.
- Jog back to the middle looking ahead.
Variations
Easier
Safe zones are 15 ft away, and students power walk.
Standard
Zones at 25 ft, a new partner every round, and hand signs.
Harder
Play as teams: each team secretly picks its sign and everyone runs at once.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the partner has to run backward, or the safe zone for a student using a wheelchair moves in to 12 ft.
- Autism: keep the same partner for several rounds and preview the game with a slow demo.
- Fitness level: swap running for power walking for anyone who needs it.
Learning goals
- React quickly to the result by chasing or escaping.
- Perform short sprints with active recovery.
- Accept the result and switch partners with good sportsmanship.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 9
Teacher tip
Arguments about results stop the game: teach that if it isn't clear, you just replay it. Spread pairs out well so they don't cross while running.
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