Tag

Tag

Children playing a version of tag
Players	2 or more
Age range	3 and up
Setup time	1 minute or less
Playing time	no limit
Random chance	Low
Skills required	Running, Hiding, Observation

Tag (also known as it, tips, dobby,^[1] chasey, tig,^[2] tick, and many other names) is a playground game played worldwide^[3] that involves one or more players chasing other players in an attempt to "tag" or touch them, usually with their hands. Most forms have no teams, scores, or equipment.

Contents 1 Basic rules 2 Bans and restrictions 3 Variants 3.1 Build Ups 3.1.1 British bulldogs 3.1.2 Chain tag 3.1.3 Octopus tag 3.2 Duck, duck, goose 3.3 Hospital tag 3.4 Kiss chase 3.5 Last tag 3.6 Shadow tag 3.7 Shipwrecked 3.8 Stuck in the mud 3.9 Team tag 3.9.1 Cops and Robbers 3.9.2 Manhunt 3.9.3 Prisoner's Base 3.9.4 Ringolevio 3.10 Tunnel tag 3.11 What's the time, Mr Wolf? 4 Variants requiring equipment 4.1 Ball tag 4.1.1 Pickle 4.1.2 Spud 4.2 Blind man's bluff 4.3 Climbing equipment 4.3.1 Alligator tag 4.3.2 Dead man 4.3.3 Gravel tag 4.4 Computer tag 4.5 Flashlight tag 4.6 Kick the can 4.7 Laser tag 4.8 Line tag 4.8.1 Fox and geese 4.9 Muckle 4.10 Paintball 4.11 SCUBA tag 4.12 Sock tag 5 Team tag sports 6 See also 7 References

Basic rules

A group of players (two or more) decide who is going to be 'it', often using a counting-out game such as Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. 'It' then chases the others to get close enough to 'tag' them — a touch with the hand — while the others try to escape. A 'tag' makes the tagged player 'it'. The game continues indefinitely.^[4]

There are many variants which modify the rules for team play, or place restrictions on tagged players' behaviour. A simple variation makes tag an elimination game, so those tagged drop out of play.^[5] A cry of "time-out" may be a signal to stop temporarily, and "time-in" to resume the game. Variants of tag include additional rules regarding whether another player is eligible as a target. A 'no tag-backs', 'no returns', or 'can't tag your master' rule prevents a player from tagging the person who has just tagged them. Players may be "safe" from being tagged within a pre-determined area, when off the ground, or when touching a particular structure; traditional variants are Wood Tag, Iron Tag, and Stone Tag, when a player is safe when touching the named material.^[6]

Bans and restrictions

Tag and other chasing games have been banned in some schools in the US and UK due to concerns about injuries and complaints from children of harassment.^[7][8][9] In 2008, a 10-year-old boy in Omaha died while playing tag when he suffered brain injuries from falling onto a metal pole,^[10] and a school dinner lady in Dorset who was left partially paralyzed after a 13-year-old boy playing tag ran into her in 2004.^[11] She failed in her attempt to sue him for compensation.^[12]

A principal who banned tag in their school said that "In this game, there is a 'victim' or 'It,' which creates a self-esteem issue. The oldest or biggest child usually dominates."^[13] A dislike of elimination games is another reason for banning tag.^[14] In some schools only supervised tag is allowed, sometimes with a type of tagging called “butterfly tagging” — a light tap on the shoulders, arms or upper back.^[15]

The president of the US National Association for Sport and Physical Education said that "Tag games are not inherently bad ... teachers must modify rules, select appropriate boundaries and equipment, and make sure pupils are safe. Teachers should emphasize tag games that develop self-improvement, participation, fair play, and cooperation."^[14] The UK Local Government Association encouraged the playing of tag in 2008, saying that children are 'wrapped in cotton wool'.^[16]

Variants

Build Ups

Build Ups (also known as Virus, Spider, Gang up and Manhunt) is a variant where players do not lose their 'it' status when they tag another player. 'It' players work together to tag players. The last person tagged wins. The winner and the player who started as 'it' may not be chosen as the starting 'it' for the next game.

British bulldogs

British bulldogs is mainly played in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and other Commonwealth countries, and banned from many schools. One or two players start as the "bulldogs" who stand in the middle of the play area, while the other players stand at one end of the area. The aim is to run from one end of the area to the other without being caught by the bulldogs. When a player is caught they become a bulldog themselves. The winner is the last player or players 'free'.^[17]

Sharks and Minnows is a water-bound variation of this game.

Chain tag

This is a variant of Build Ups where the first person to be caught joins hands with 'it' and the two must chase the others as a pair. As more people are caught they too join hands, forming a lengthening chain. Only those at the ends of the chain are able to catch someone, as they are the only ones with a free hand. A variant has chains of four splitting in two.^[18]

Octopus tag

Octopus tag is a mix between Red Rover and tag.^[19] 'It', or 'Octopus', attempts to tag the other players. The playing field is known as the ocean. The players, or 'fish', line up along one side of the ocean and trying to run to the other side without getting tagged. In a variation once the 'fish' run to the other side without getting tagged the game pauses until the 'octopus' starts it again. Upon getting tagged the 'fish' become 'seaweed' and must freeze or sit where they were tagged, but can wave their arms around and assist the 'Octopus' in tagging other 'fish' within their reach. The last 'fish' to be tagged becomes the next 'Octopus'.

Duck, duck, goose

In Duck, duck, goose, a group of usually young children sit in a circle facing inward. One player, the 'picker' or 'fox', walks around tapping or pointing to each player in turn, calling each a 'duck', until finally picking one to be the 'goose'. The 'goose' then rises, chases and tries to tag the 'picker', while the 'picker' runs around the circle to try to sit where the 'goose' had been sitting. If the picker succeeds, the 'goose' is the new picker, otherwise the picker tries again.

Hospital tag

When you are tagged, you don't become 'it', but you must hold your hand in place where you were tagged on your body. The second time you are tagged, you must hold your other hand where you were tagged the second time, while still holding your first hand in place. The third time you are tagged, you are 'it'.^[18]

Kiss chase

Also see Kissing games

Kiss chase is a tag variant in which tagging is performed by kissing.^[4] All members of one gender are 'it' at once and chase the opposite sex until everyone is caught, when the roles are reversed.^[20] "The game is not about who can run faster or slower, as in the standard versions of Tag, so much as the strength of each individual's desire to kiss the girl or boy they are pursuing".^[20] A variant is that one member of a gender can be 'it' and with assistance from those of the same gender they chase all members of the opposite sex and kiss one of them, who is then 'it' on behalf of the other gender.^{[citation needed]}

Last tag

Last tag was played in the early 20th century, when it was a way to say "goodbye" when leaving school for home. A player tags another and makes them "it" before leaving on their way home. There is "no tagging back." It was a point of honour not to be left with the "last tag".^[21]

Shadow tag

In shadow tag, players try to step on the shadow of another player to 'tag' them, and can be played in schools where games involving physical contact are banned.^[9]

Shipwrecked

Also known as 'budge', one player is 'it' and tries to tag the other players. There are safe zones, such as circles, but their number is one fewer than the number of the other players. If someone else enters your safe zone, you must leave it. If you are tagged, you become 'it'.^[18]

Stuck in the mud

Also known as 'freeze tag', or 'Ice And Water' in Asian countries, players who are tagged are 'stuck in the mud' or 'frozen' and must stand in place with their arms stretched out until they are 'unfrozen'. An unstuck/unfrozen player performs an action to unfreeze them, such as tagging them, crawling between their legs,^[18] or 'flushing' them by hitting their outstretched hand (Toilet Tag).^{[citation needed]}

Variants exist where to 'unfreeze' someone the player must also call out a certain TV show, sports team or object. Once called it can no longer be used to unfreeze someone.^{[citation needed]}

Team tag

Cops and Robbers

Cops and Robbers, sometimes called 'team tag', 'Chase', 'Police and Thief', or Prisoner's Base,^[21] has players split into two teams: cops (the 'it' team who are in pursuit) and robbers (the team being chased). The cops 'arrest' the robbers by tagging, and put them in 'jail'. Robbers can stage a jailbreak by tagging one of the prisoners without getting tagged themselves.^[22] The game ends if all the robbers are in jail. (At some times, robbers get to on two bases. Cops cannot enter these bases. once a robber leaves on base, he cannot return to the base he has just left. he must go to the other base and make sure he does not get caught.)

Manhunt

Manhunt is a mixture of hide and seek and tag, often played at night.^{[citation needed]} One person is 'it', while the other players have to hide. Then, the person who is 'it' tries to find and tag them. The game is over when all players are out. Manhunt is sometimes played with teams. In one variant there is a home base in which a player is 'safe'. That version ends when all players who aren't safe are out.

Prisoner's Base

In Prisoner's Base, each team starts in a chain, holding hands, with one end of the chain touching the base. The end two players break from the chain and try to tag each other, taking them to their base if they do. The end pair progressively break from the chain and join the tagging. As with Cops and Robbers, prisoners can be freed by tagging them in the base. It has been suggested to derive from Bride kidnapping and dates back at least to the Renaissance period.^[23]

Ringolevio

Played in the northeastern US, 'Ringolevio', 'Relievio', or 'Ringolario' is a variant on Cops and Robbers. Cops and Robbers is generally confined to an open field with all players out in the open, while in Ringolevio players on the 'robbers' team are permitted a limited time to 'hide'.

Tunnel tag

Played in an area with a wall along one side. Those who are caught must stand with one arm outstretched, touching the wall. Someone who has not yet been caught can release them by running under the 'tunnel' formed by the outstretched arms. The game ends when everyone has been caught.^{[citation needed]}

What's the time, Mr Wolf?

One player is chosen to be Mr Wolf and stands facing away from the other players at the opposite end of the playing field. All players except Mr Wolf chant in unison "What's the time, Mr Wolf?", and Mr Wolf will answer in one of two ways: Mr Wolf may call a time - usually an hour ending in "o'clock". The other players take that many steps towards Mr Wolf. They then ask the question again. Alternatively Mr Wolf may call "Dinner time!", and turn and chase the other players back to their starting point. If Mr Wolf tags a player, that player becomes Mr Wolf for the next round.

Variants requiring equipment

Some variants of tag use equipment such as balls, paintball guns, or even flashlights to replace tagging by hand.

Ball tag

Ball tag is a variation of tag and dodgeball. It is generally played with a tennis ball, larger balls such as a dodgeball or soccer ball can be used. The game is played with standard tag rules, except the person who is 'it' uses a ball to tag other players. The ball may not be picked up off the ground by anyone other than the 'it'. Some variation have rules where if a person who is not 'it' intentionally picks up the ball, they are 'it' for two turns, unless they tag the person who was originally 'it'.^{[citation needed]}

Sometimes, dodgeball rules are incorporated. One such rule is that if a person catches the ball thrown at them, the person who threw the ball is still "it". The catcher can then throw the ball anywhere on the course, making the "it's" job more difficult. Another dodgeball rule is that if a ball that is bounced off a tagged person is caught by another player without the ball touching another object, the person who was tagged is it.^{[original research?]}

Like British Bulldog, the game is banned in a number of school playgrounds for being overly violent.^{[citation needed]}

In Australia, 'ball chasey' is often referred to as 'brandings' or 'brandy'. The name originates from the variant where the game is played with a tennis ball that has been soaked in water. These leave a mark, or 'brand', when hitting clothing.^{[citation needed]}

Pickle

Pickle (or sometimes referred to as Hot Box, particularly when using a baseball, also called Stolen Bases or Running Bases) is a form of tag that is played with a ball (generally something soft like a tennis ball) and two bases (usually trees). One player guards each base while the others run between them. Players are safe while touching a base; however, while running from one base to another, players are vulnerable to being tagged by balls thrown by the base guards. If a runner is hit by the ball, he replaces the guard who threw it, and that guard becomes a runner.^{[citation needed]}

Spud

Spud is a tag variant that is best played in large, open areas. Players begin each round in a central location. 'It' then throws a ball high into the air. The other players run but must stop as soon as 'it' catches the ball and shouts "Spud!" 'It' may then take three large steps toward the player of his choosing before throwing the ball at that player. If the ball hits the target, that player becomes 'it', and the game starts over.^{[citation needed]}

One variation of Spud requires numbering the participants. 'It' throws the ball in the air and calls out a number. The player whose number is called becomes 'it', and must catch the ball and shout "Spud" as above.^{[citation needed]}

Blind man's bluff

Blind man's bluff or blind man's buff is a version of tag in which one player, designated as 'it', is blindfolded and attempts to tag the other players, while the other players try to avoid them.

Climbing equipment

Alligator tag

A game of tag that takes place on a Jungle Gym, Monkey Bar or other large piece of playground equipment that is easily traversed. 'It' cannot get on the equipment and tries to tag players on the climbing equipment while on the ground. It is so named as 'it' is an alligator.^{[citation needed]}

Dead man

Also known as dead mummy. Similar to alligator tag and played on playground equipment. 'It' —the "dead man"— stands in the middle of the caged equipment with their eyes closed. Everybody else is on the equipment. When the people on the equipment are ready to play, they say "Dead man, dead man, come alive, when I count to number five. One, two, three, four, five, come alive." The "dead man" must then climb the equipment to tag a player.^{[citation needed]}

Gravel tag

Played on large complicated playground sets, the point of this game is to never touch the ground. If a non-'it' player touches the ground, 'it' shouts "Gravel" to tag the person.^{[citation needed]}

Computer tag

Research students developed a version of tag played using handheld WiFi-enabled computers with GPS.^[24][25]

Flashlight tag

Flashlight tag, also called 'Army Tag', 'Spotlight' and 'German Spotlight' (a name some consider offensive) is played at night. Rather than physically tagging, the 'it' player tags by shining a flashlight beam on other players.^{[citation needed]}

In some versions, the 'it' player is required to correctly call out the name of the person being tagged while the light shines on them. In others, the 'it' player must remain motionless while other players roam the field of play. Some versions are played "tag" style, where a caught player becomes the new 'it', while others are played "cops and robbers" style, where a caught player is sent to 'jail' and must be rescued to return to the field of play.^{[citation needed]}

Kick the can

One person is 'it' and a can is placed in an open space. The other players run off and hide, then 'it' tries to find and tag each of them. Tagged players are sent to 'jail'. Any player who has not been caught can "kick the can", setting the other players free from 'jail'.^[26]

Laser tag

Laser tag is similar to flashlight tag, but using special equipment to avoid the inevitable arguments that arise about whether one was actually tagged. Players carry 'guns' that emit beams of light and wear electronic equipment that can detect the beams and register being 'hit'. The equipment often has built-in scoring systems and various penalties for taking hits.

Line tag

Lines are marked on the ground, usually in chalk if outdoors or with masking tape indoors, and players must stay on the lines when moving. The lines may intersect in random ways. It can also be played in a gym using the pre-existing lines.^{[citation needed]}

Fox and geese

A traditional type of line tag, sometimes played in snow, is Fox and geese. The fox starts at the centre of a spoked wheel, and the geese flee from the fox along the spokes and around the wheel. Geese that are tagged become foxes. The intersections of the spokes with the wheel are safe zones.^[27]

Muckle

Muckle (sometimes called 'muckle the man with the ball', 'kill-the-guy-with-the-ball',^[28] 'kill the carrier', or 'smear the queer' among other names) is the reverse of regular tag; all of the other players chase 'it'. This player is denoted by carrying a ball (usually a football). When they are caught, they are tackled, or 'muckled'. Whoever retrieves the ball first or whoever attacks the one who is 'it' then becomes 'it'. Sometimes the last player arriving to tackle the former ball carrier is the next person to be 'it'; in other variations the player with the ball throws the ball up in the air, where it is caught by another player who becomes 'it'.

Paintball

Paintball is a sport in which players use compressed air guns (called "paintball markers") to tag other players with paint-filled pellets. Games are usually played on commercial fields with a strict set of safety and gameplay rules.

SCUBA tag

Played underwater with the assistance of Scuba diving gear, SCUBA Tag follows the rules of basic tag. The game zone is usually within 100 ft of the dive flag.^{[citation needed]}

Sock tag

A tube sock is filled with a small amount of flour, in the toe of the sock; the sock is then gripped by the leg hole and wielded as a flail. Striking a player with any part of the "deadly sock" counts as a tag.^[29][30]

Team tag sports

In South Asia, two sports are variants of tag, played at the team level, sometimes internationally. In Kabaddi, raiders cross a dividing line to try to tag defenders, while continuously chanting "kabbadi" on one breath while over the line.^[23] It is included in the Asian Games and even has a world championship, being played throughout India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Iran, as well as in Indian communities in Canada, Great Britain, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. It was also demonstrated in 1936 Berlin Olympics. The other tag sport is called Kho Kho.

Tag Rugby, also known in the USA as flag rugby or flag rugby league, is a non-contact team game in which each player wears a belt that has two velcro tags attached to it, or shorts with velcro patches. The mode of play is similar to rugby league with attacking players attempting to dodge, evade and pass a rugby ball while defenders attempt to prevent them scoring by "tagging" - pulling a velcro attached tag from the ball carrier.

See also

• Assassin (game)
• Marco Polo
• Flag football
• Sharks and Minnows
• Touch rugby

References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2009)