Zombie Tag with Antidotes
A tag game where zombies convert anyone they touch and survivors can cure them by delivering an antidote. The class wins the round if survivors outnumber zombies at the whistle, which calls for cooperation and reading the game.
How to play
- Mark a 30 x 20 yard field with cones; place a hoop with 10 beanbags (antidotes) in each corner and an empty hoop in the center (2 min).
- Choose 3 zombies wearing pinnies. They power-walk with arms out and tag on the shoulder or back; survivors run freely.
- A tagged student grabs a pinnie by the center hoop and becomes a zombie. A survivor may take one antidote and hand it to a zombie, who drops the pinnie and beanbag in the center and becomes a survivor again.
- Three-minute rounds: if zombies are fewer than half at the whistle, the class scores a point; otherwise the zombies do (5 rounds, 15 min).
- Between rounds, 30 seconds to plan a strategy and pick 3 new zombies.
- At the end, discuss which strategies worked and how helping others compared with saving yourself (3 min).
Rules
- Zombies never run; a tag made while running doesn't count.
- A student carrying an antidote can't be converted but must deliver it within 15 seconds.
- Gentle open-palm tags, no pushing or grabbing clothes.
- Safety: look ahead when running and stay inside the boundaries.
Variations
Easier
Start with 2 zombies and add antidotes along the sidelines.
Standard
Three starting zombies, four antidote corners and 3-minute rounds.
Harder
Each antidote must be delivered by two survivors holding hands.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student runs the pharmacy handing out antidotes, or plays zombie in a smaller zone, tagging with a pool noodle.
- Hearing impairment: also signal the end of each round by raising a pinnie.
- Lower fitness: the student may rest 10 seconds inside a corner hoop once per round.
Learning goals
- Decide quickly between escaping, helping or taking a risk.
- Cooperate for a class result over individual success.
- Sustain high-intensity intermittent effort.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pinnies: 25
- beanbags: 40
- hoops: 5
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Make sure zombies never run; it is the key to safety and balance. If they always win, add antidotes; if they never win, remove a corner.
PatioLab has "Zombie Tag with Antidotes" and 2499 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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