Tag-Team Hunters: One Chaser at a Time
A team tag game with only one tagger on the court at a time: the rest of the team waits in its zone, and the tagger can tap out whenever they want with a high five. Students practice pacing their effort, speed, and team strategy.
How to play
- Make 4 teams of 6 in different colored pinnies. Set up a 20 x 20 m square with cones and place a hoop in one corner as the hunting team's tag-out zone (2 min).
- The hunting team lines up at its tag-out zone and sends out one hunter. The other 3 teams are runners inside the square.
- On the whistle, the hunter chases. Each tagged runner goes to the sideline, does 5 squats, and returns; the hunting team earns one point per tag.
- Whenever the hunter wants, they run back to the hoop and high-five a teammate, who goes out to hunt. Every team member must go out at least once.
- Each turn lasts 90 seconds; one student on the hunting team counts points out loud. Then the next team hunts.
- After 4 turns (one per team), the team with the most points wins. Play two full cycles if time allows.
Rules
- Only one hunter on the court at a time; tag-outs happen with a high five inside the hoop.
- The same runner can't be tagged twice in a row.
- Runners may not leave the square; stepping out gives the hunter a point.
- Tag gently, no pushing or grabbing clothes.
Variations
Easier
Use 60-second turns and have runners speed-walk.
Standard
90-second turns, tag out any time, and every team member hunts at least once.
Harder
Each hunter can go out a maximum of two times, so the team has to plan the tag-out order.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student keeps score and calls when their team should tag out, or hunts in a smaller coned zone.
- Hearing loss: start and stop each turn by raising a cone, and the high-five tag-out makes changes easy to see.
- Fitness level: teams decide how long each member hunts, with short shifts of 15 to 20 seconds recommended.
Learning goals
- Pace effort with short shifts.
- Plan the order and timing of tag-outs as a team.
- Chase using changes of speed and direction.
Equipment for a class of 25
- colored pinnies: 24
- cones: 8
- hoops: 1
Teacher tip
At first hunters stay out too long and gas out: pause and point out that short shifts score more. Have the waiting team cheer on their hunter.
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