The Mole: Capture the Flag with a Hidden Traitor
Classic capture the flag with a hidden-role twist: each team has a mole who secretly works for the other side, for example by letting attackers through or botching a relay, but without breaking any safety rule. At the end of each round the team votes on who it thinks the mole is, adding observation and communication to the tactical plan.
How to play
- Deal a face-down card to every player: on each team one says mole and the rest say loyal; nobody shows theirs (3 min).
- Explain what the mole may do: move a little slower on defense, pick bad gaps or signal the other team with agreed cues, never tag for no reason or push (3 min).
- Round 1 of capture the flag; anyone tagged on the other side goes back to their end line and rejoins (7 min).
- Vote: each team huddles for 2 minutes, discusses clues and votes on a suspect; a correct guess earns 1 point and the mole is revealed (3 min).
- Round 2 with new cards and a new mole, followed by a final vote (10 min).
- Reflection: which actions looked like sabotage and which were just mistakes, and how it feels to be wrongly accused (4 min).
Rules
- The mole sabotages only through game decisions, never with dangerous contact or rule-breaking.
- Tag with an open hand; no grabbing or tackling.
- During the vote, talk about game behavior, never about the person.
- Nobody reveals their card until the vote is over.
Variations
Easier
One team has no mole and plays the round looking for clues.
Standard
One mole per team each round and a team vote at the end of every round.
Harder
There may be zero, one or two moles per team and nobody knows how many.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: guard the flag from a hoop and vote with equal weight.
- Autism: may ask not to be given the mole role and gets a written script explaining the vote.
- Hearing impairment: vote by raising a hand with the suspect's pinny number.
Learning goals
- Observe game behavior to gather tactical information.
- Handle suspicion and disagreement respectfully.
- Tell the difference between a mistake and bad faith as part of fair play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 20
- pinnies: 28
- bandanas: 2
- cards: 28
Teacher tip
Stress that the mole is just a game role and always finish with a round of applause for the moles. Make sure the same people are not always the ones accused.
PatioLab has "The Mole: Capture the Flag with a Hidden Traitor" and 5176 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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