Alligator Tag

 

Purpose: to apply movement concept and strategy in chasing and fleeing activities. To warm up bodies for the rest of class.

Suggested Age: K-4 (though older kids love it too)

Equipment: Playground

Game Objective: the objective of the game is to make it from the starting point to the goal and back as many times as possible without being tagged by the Alligators

Set Up:
In order to play this game you must establish a designated starting point and goal on your playground. The starting point and goal should be on opposite ends of the playground. I use the rock wall as my starting point and the sea monster as my ending point.

At the beginning of class I will have all of my students meet behind the rock wall and we will quickly review the rules. I will then choose 4-6 "Alligators" based on the size of the class. Once the Alligators have been chosen I allow them to go anywhere that they want in the playground, then on my command the game will begin.

Rules:

• If a student is tagged by an alligator they must raise their hand to show that they have been tagged and go back to the starting point.
• Alligators are not allowed to go onto the equipment or tag students who are not touching the ground. I DO allow them to puppy guard (though they often don't).
• If ANY part of a student is touching the ground they may be tagged.
• In order to make it to the goal (or back), a student must go on at least 5 pieces of equipment first. If a student tries to run straight to the goal they must go back to the beginning.
• If a student makes it to the goal without being tagged they should attempt to make it back to the starting point without being tagged. They must go on at least 5 pieces of equipment on their way back. If tagged on their way back they still go back to the starting point.

Tips:

Often times I have new students think that they turn into an Alligator if they get tagged. Remind them at the beginning that they DON'T

Sometimes I will have students that want to stay on the same piece of equipment for an extended period of time. If I see this I will start to count down from 10 and they must leave the piece of equipment in that time.

Sometimes I will play as a "Zombie Alligator". The Zombie Alligator is allowed to go on the equipment but cannot run on the equipment. This is another great way to get kids off equipment who haven't been moving.

Starting View

Acknowledgement: I learned this game during my student teaching experience at Longfellow Elementary from Tom Dahl