Name and Purpose
- Deck Command is a fast-moving listening and reaction game built around nautical directions and crew actions.
- Builds attentiveness, quick physical response, and group coordination in a fun, low-pressure format.
a.k.a.
- Ships Ahoy, Port and Starboard, Captain Says
Age / Group / Time / Space
- Ages 8-16 | 10-50 players | 15-30 minutes | Large open gym, field, or court. The bigger the group, the larger the space needed. Mark four compass points clearly.
Materials
- Whistle (for signals)
- Optional: boundary cones at the four corners
- Optional: command card printed for the leader (full list of actions)
- Flat, clear space free of obstacles
Quick-Run Card
- Mark Bow (front), Stern (back), Port (left), Starboard (right) in the space.
- All players start in the centre.
- Leader calls a location or action. Players respond immediately.
- No elimination: players who are slow or without a partner join the Crew Deck (sideline) and become co-callers for one round, then re-enter.
- Swap the leader role after each round.
Setup and Boundaries
- Clearly mark or point out the four areas before play begins. Walk the group to each spot once so everyone knows the layout.
- Signal: 1 whistle = pause for a new instruction; 2 whistles = round ends.
- Check the space for wet floors, furniture, or obstacles before starting.
- Staff stand at the centre or boundary to spot collisions during sprinting actions.
How to Play
- Leader stands at the centre and calls actions from the list below.
- Players respond as quickly and accurately as possible.
- Any player who is the last to complete a grouped action (e.g., last to form a group of three) steps to the Crew Deck for one call, helps the leader call the next action, then re-enters.
- Rotate the leader role every 3-5 minutes.
- Full action list:
- Bow: Run to the front of the space.
- Stern: Run to the back.
- Port: Run to the left side.
- Starboard: Run to the right side.
- Submarines: Run to the centre, lie on your back, raise one foot.
- Lifeboats: Find a partner, sit in a line, row together.
- Hit the Deck: Crouch or lower yourself quickly (no floor contact required for those who prefer not to).
- Attention on Deck: Stand still, salute, say “Aye aye Captain!” Do not move until the leader calls “At ease!”
- Three in a Boat: Form groups of three and sing “Row, row, row your boat.” Anyone without a group joins the Crew Deck for one round.
- Clear the Deck: Get both feet off the floor in any way you can (jump, step on a low surface).
- Scrub the Deck: Kneel and mime scrubbing.
- Captain’s Quarters: Everyone moves toward the leader.
- Crow’s Nest: Find a partner. Partners link arms and stand on tiptoe together, scanning the horizon.
- Row the Boat: Find a partner, sit face to face, hold hands, row together.
- Sick Turtle: Lie on your back and wave hands and feet in the air.
- Shark: Run to a designated safe zone.
I-OPt Options
Start:
- A (Active): Play as a full-speed crew member responding to every call.
- S (Support): Volunteer as the first leader or co-caller.
- Q (Quiet): Participate at a slower pace, focusing on accuracy over speed.
- O (Observer): Watch round one from the sideline and join in round two.
Mid:
- A (Active): React as fast as possible; help partners find the right spot.
- S (Support): Call out location reminders to newer players.
- Q (Quiet): Focus on the calmer actions (Scrub the Deck, Submarines).
- O (Observer): Watch from the Crew Deck and re-enter when ready.
Late:
- A (Active): Lead a round as the Captain.
- S (Support): Help the leader keep the pace and read the group.
- Q (Quiet): Participate in gentler actions only.
- O (Observer): Help enforce the boundary and signal re-entry.
End:
- A (Active): Suggest a final call for the last round.
- S (Support): Help reset the space.
- Q (Quiet): Share one moment from the debrief.
- O (Observer): Listen in and join when comfortable.
Inclusion Adaptations
- “Hit the Deck” and floor actions: players who prefer not to go to the floor may crouch or lower their hands instead. All versions count.
- “Crow’s Nest” piggyback: an alternative arm-link tiptoe version is described in the action list above. Staff brief this clearly before the game begins.
- Players with limited mobility can participate fully in upper-body and standing actions; for running actions, they move to a spot at their own pace.
Stewardship Moment
- No consumable materials. At the end of play, do a 60-second floor check for any dropped personal items.
- Brief reflection: “This game uses a whole lot of space. What other games or activities could share this space?”
Consent
- Pre-brief: “This game involves running to different spots and doing actions together. Some actions involve lying on the floor or finding a partner. For those not comfortable with floor contact, a crouch or lower-body dip is another option. Crow’s Nest involves linking arms and standing on tiptoe together.”
- Mid-game check: after 5 minutes, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. Any actions we should skip or swap?”
- Opt-out/re-entry: any player may step to the sideline (Crew Deck) at any time and re-enter after one call.
Risks and Mitigation
- Collision when players sprint to the same area: brief players to slow down when approaching the target zone, not just when running. Call “Jog to the zone!” as a norm.
- Tripping during floor actions: scan for obstacles before play. Staff spot floor actions in younger groups.
- Uneven grouping in partner/group actions: staff fill in or split groups to keep everyone included. The Crew Deck re-entry rule handles odd numbers without singling anyone out.
- Tiptoe balance: remind pairs to hold steady and not pull each other off balance
- Walk the group to each compass point before play starts. Call “Bow, Stern, Port, Starboard” at a slow pace so everyone learns the layout.
- “Crew Roll Call”: leader calls “Port!” and the whole group jogs there together, no pressure, just to warm up movement.
Debrief Questions
- What? “Which action was hardest to remember? Which one made you laugh?”
- So What? “What helped you respond quickly? What slowed you down?”
- Now What? “When do you need to respond fast to a signal in your day-to-day life? How do you stay ready?”
Cleanup and Reset
- Collect any cones or props.
- Return space to its original layout.
- Check floor for hazards before next group enters.
