Smugglers and Customs Officers
A traditional strategy game: smugglers try to cross the field with an object hidden in a fist while customs officers tag and search them. Since everyone pretends to carry it, the team must plan decoys, distractions and support runs.
How to play
- Mark a 30 x 20 yard field with a 3-yard safe zone at each end. Make 2 teams of 12 or 13 in two colors of pinnies (2 min).
- Smugglers huddle in their zone and secretly hand out 3 tennis balls; everyone moves with both fists closed (1 min).
- On the signal, they try to reach the opposite safe zone. A customs officer who tags a smuggler says "Customs," and the smuggler opens both hands: a ball is confiscated; if empty, the smuggler returns to the start zone and may go again.
- Each ball that reaches the safe zone is worth 2 points. Rounds last 90 seconds, with a 30-second huddle before each to plan who carries it.
- Switch roles after 3 rounds; play 2 full cycles (14 min).
- Wrap-up: each team shares which decoy worked best (2 min).
Rules
- All smugglers keep their fists closed during the round.
- Tags are gentle on the back or arm; no grabbing.
- Balls are never thrown; they may only be passed hand to hand.
- Safety: no one runs backward, and the safe zones are respected.
Variations
Easier
Customs officers may only move in the middle half of the field.
Standard
Three hidden balls, 90-second rounds and a search on every tag.
Harder
Add a golden ball worth 5 points that only its carrier knows about.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student is a customs officer in a marked zone, or a smuggler with a protected lane.
- Visual impairment: the student plays with a guide running alongside.
- Lower fitness: the student may rest one round in the safe zone without penalizing the team.
Learning goals
- Plan team strategies using decoys and support.
- Make quick decisions based on opponents' positions.
- Follow the rules honestly when searched.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tennis balls: 4
- pinnies: 13
- cones: 10
Teacher tip
Honesty when opening hands is the heart of the game; if someone hides a ball, stop play and talk about fair play. Change the number of balls to balance the teams.
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