Circle Clump Pull

Name and Purpose

Circle Clump Pull is a physical strategy game that builds teamwork, communication, and spatial awareness.
Players practise coordinating as a group, reading resistance and momentum, and working together toward a shared goal.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 10-16 | 10-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Large flat outdoor space on grass or soft even ground; clear of obstacles

Materials

Cones to mark the circle boundary (5-6 cones in a clear circle)
Optional: rope loops or bandana handles for players who prefer not to grip bare hands

Quick-Run Card

Mark a circle on the ground with cones (approximately 3-4m in diameter).
Divide into two teams: Clump (inside the circle) and Pull (outside the circle).
Pull players each grip a Clump player’s wrist or a bandana handle.
On the signal, Pull players try to pull Clump players fully outside the circle. Clump players try to stay in.
Round ends on the whistle or when all Clump players have been pulled out. Record the time. Swap roles.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark a clear circle with cones, approximately 3-4m across, on flat soft ground
Signal: one short whistle to start; two whistles to stop and release all holds immediately
Staff check the ground for holes, roots, or hard surfaces before play
Remind players: pulling is by wrist grip or bandana handle only; no grabbing clothing or hair

How to Play

Divide the group into two roughly equal teams: the Clump and the Pull.
The Clump team huddles inside the marked circle. They may link arms with each other.
Each Pull player grips the wrist or bandana handle of one Clump player.
On the start whistle, Pull players work together to drag Clump players fully outside the circle boundary.
A Clump player is out of the round once both their feet cross the circle line. They become a Sideline Supporter: they cheer, count how many Clump players remain, and help staff watch the boundary line.
The Clump team wins the round if at least one player remains inside the circle when the time limit ends.
The Pull team wins the round if all Clump players are pulled out before time.
Track the time each round. Swap roles. The team that pulled the other out fastest is the overall winner.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Pull or brace as a full participant
S (Support): Sideline Supporter: cheer, watch the boundary line, count remaining Clump players
Q (Quiet): Clump player who focuses on bracing and holding ground rather than active resistance
O (Observer): Watch the first round and choose which team to join for the next round

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer not to grip or be gripped can use a bandana loop tied between themselves and a partner; the game works identically
Players with limited upper body strength can anchor themselves rather than pull; their role is to hold and brace

Stewardship Moment

Collect cones and bandanas after play
Reflection: “You worked as a group, not just as individuals. What happened when the team coordinated? What happened when they didn’t?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves physical gripping and pulling. For those not comfortable with direct wrist contact, a bandana loop is another option. You also choose whether to be on the Clump or Pull team each round.”
Mid-game check: after the first round, pause and give a thumbs check; anyone can swap teams or shift to a support role
Opt-out and re-entry: step to the Sideline Supporter role at any time; re-enter as a team member at the start of the next round

Risks and Mitigation

Players falling when released suddenly: remind Pull players to release gradually on the stop whistle, not to drop immediately; model this before play
Clothing grabs or hair grabs: clearly state at the start that only wrist or bandana handles are valid; staff watches and calls out any violation calmly
One team consistently much stronger than the other: re-balance teams each round; smaller Clump teams slow down the Pull team and keep rounds close

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Slow Tug”: pairs grip wrists gently and lean back in balance together for 15 seconds; focus on mutual support, not pulling
“Anchor Walk”: the whole group links arms and walks slowly across the space together, keeping the line unbroken

Debrief Questions

What? “What strategies did the Clump team use to stay in? What did the Pull team do when one approach wasn’t working?”
So What? “What does it feel like to hold your ground as a team? What made it easier or harder?”
Now What? “Where in your life do you need your team to hold together, even when there’s pressure to break apart?”

Cleanup and Reset