Rock-Paper-Scissors Tag
Win the throw, run for it — lose, and you're chasing. New partner every minute.
Instant reactions with a laugh attached — the losing hand has to flip to chasing with zero pause.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Nothing.
- Build: Nothing — open space.
- Place: Pairs face each other, a step apart, spread around the space.
One thing to remember: Reaction speed and acceleration off an unpredictable trigger.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Rock, paper, scissors, shoot — the winner runs, the loser tags, and a tag restarts the game.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Pair everyone up, facing each other, spread out enough to sprint.
Coach says
Find a partner. Face off.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Play one round yourself against a player so they see the flip from throw to chase.
Coach says
Win — you run. Lose — you chase. Tag them and we go again.
3Play▾
Coach does
Let each pair run their own rounds continuously.
Coach says
Rock, paper, scissors — shoot!
Look for: No pause between losing the throw and starting the chase.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
About every minute, call the switch — everyone finds a new partner nearby and keeps going.
Coach says
Switch! New partner, right where you are.
If it's not working
Call the switch sooner — a new partner every minute is the part that keeps it alive.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.
Why are we doing this?
What are they learning?
How can I change it?
Easier: Walk-tag the first round so the rules land before the sprinting starts.
Harder: Shrink the space so escapes need sharper cuts.