Movement, games, sport: 07) Two’s company, threes a crowd [Video]

9 years and older

A lively and motivating game of chase-tag which can be played with different stages of difficulty as well as individually or strategically

PLAY
The players stand in pairs, side by side, scattered over a defined area. Two players are designated as the cat and mouse. The cat runs after the mouse who, to avoid being caught, places himself to one side of a pair. The play- er on the opposite side now becomes the mouse and runs away, until he finds shelter beside another pair, pass- ing on his role to another player, and so on.
If the group is large, and to ensure par- ticipation of all players, better divide the group into two and assign two dif- ferent areas, rather than adding anoth- er pair of cat and mouse which can get very confusing.

Progression: once everyone under- stands the game, it can be made more difficult by changing the positions of the pairs of players who are waiting:
 
A lively and motivating game of chase-tag which can be played with different stages of difficulty as well as individually or strategically.
sitting down, lying on their backs, lying on their bellies, etc.
The rules can also be changed: when the mouse goes into shelter beside a pair, the roles change and the player opposite becomes the cat and the cat becomes the mouse.
A second pair of cat and mouse can be added, making sure that the same cat always chases the same mouse to avoid confusion.

OBJECTIVES
Psychosocial: to develop the ability for strategic observation, anticipation and decision-making, as well as cooperation.
Physical: to improve coordination, as well as reactions (changes of direc- tions) and speed.

RECOMMENDATIONS
This game is very lively and motivating as long as the animator reminds the players that everybody should be able to participate actively..The mouse may be selfish and want to stay mouse and run for as long as possible, forgetting that the other players are waiting.
The great objective of this game is the energy that can be created so that everyone remains alert. That is why cooperation is at its maximum when the mice pass on their role quickly.
In cases where the cat is slower than the mouse, the animator can suggest another rule: for example, the mouse must run on one foot, giving the cat an advantage, or vice-versa.
The animator should insist on the cooperative nature of the game, mak- ing sure that the mice work as a group “against” the cat. It is hereby essential that the mouse taking refuge beside a pair does not think only of saving him- self, but gives the possibility to the next mouse to escape.
Finally, it is important to remind children about the importance of the group, so that they do not always stop beside the same pairs. Observation is important to make sure that everyone has an equal chance of participating

DISCUSSION
-    How many times were you the cat or the mouse?
-    Which role did you prefer? Can you explain?
-    Did you play for yourself or for the group?
-    What strategy did you find to help each other as mice?
-    Etc.