Gather and Guard

Name and Purpose

Gather and Guard is a high-energy strategy and movement game where one team defends a circle of objects while the other tries to retrieve them.
Players build communication, physical coordination, and positional thinking.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 16-40 players in two equal teams | 15-25 minutes | Large open field or gym with space for an 8m+ diameter circle

Materials

20-30 assorted objects: beanbags, hats, sticks, or similar (avoid shoes . hygiene and tripping risk)
Chalk or rope to draw the boundary circle
Cones for outer play area boundaries
Optional: coloured pinnies to distinguish teams

Quick-Run Card

Draw a large circle (8m+ diameter). Defenders place objects in the centre and join hands around them.
Raiders position outside the circle. Whistle starts play.
Raiders use shoulders only to push through the Defender line . no grabbing or pulling.
Raider who reaches an object picks it up (max 5 per trip) and exits. A Defender may chase and tag with both palms simultaneously.
Tagged Raider drops object, returns it to the circle, and moves to the re-entry zone. Re-entry condition: complete 5 star jumps, then return to play. Round ends when all objects are taken or time runs out.

Setup and Boundaries

Draw circle at least 8m in diameter (larger for bigger groups)
Mark an outer boundary with cones . Raiders must stay within the outer boundary
Mark a re-entry zone just outside the outer boundary
Signal: 1 whistle = pause; 2 whistles = stop and gather
Check ground for objects that could cause trips. Use flat items (beanbags) as the primary objects if possible.
Staff awareness: this activity involves physical contact through shoulder pressure. Staff will know which players need accommodations.

How to Play

Defenders join hands to form a circle around the objects in the centre.
On the whistle, Raiders move toward the circle and attempt to push through using shoulders only. No grabbing hands, no pulling arms, no kicking.
Defenders hold the circle using body weight and linked arms. Defenders may not kick, grab, or strike.
A Raider who successfully enters the circle may pick up a maximum of 5 objects, then must exit.
Once a Raider is outside the circle, one Defender may break away to pursue them. The Defender tags by touching the Raider with both palms simultaneously.
A tagged Raider drops their objects (objects return to the circle), moves to the re-entry zone, completes 5 star jumps, and returns to play as an active Raider.
The round ends when all objects have been taken from the circle or the time limit is reached.
Switch team roles and play again. Winning condition: the team that retrieves more objects in their Raider round wins.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Play as an active Raider pushing through the line, or as a front-line Defender
S (Support): Play as a middle-circle Defender coordinating the team, or as a Raider passing objects to a teammate near the exit
Q (Quiet): Play as an object counter or scorer at the edge, tracking how many objects have been taken
O (Observer): Watch the first round to understand the strategy, then join the second round as a Raider or Defender

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer not to engage in shoulder-contact can play as object counters or scorekeepers . a genuine team role
Coloured pinnies help players with visual processing distinguish teams quickly in a fast-moving game
Reduce objects to 10 for a shorter, less chaotic round for younger or smaller groups

Stewardship Moment

Use reusable objects (beanbags, hats). Return all items to their owners or storage after play.
60-second reset: each team collects and stacks their team’s pinnies and returns any borrowed objects.

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves physical pressure through the shoulder to push through a linked circle. For those who prefer not to be in a contact role, object counter and scorer are active team jobs that help determine the winner.”
Mid-game check: At the halfway point, pause. Thumbs up, sideways, or down . how is the contact level feeling?
Opt-out/re-entry: Step to the scorer role at any time. Rejoin the active game at the next round.

Risks and Mitigation

Circle collapse causing falls: remind Defenders to use body weight, not grip strength. If the circle breaks, call a pause and reset.
Shoulder contact escalating: staff monitor closely and call a pause if intensity rises above safe levels
Objects causing trips inside the circle: use flat, soft objects (beanbags) and keep them in a loose cluster, not a pile
Tagged Raider dispute: tag requires both palms simultaneously . staff confirms on disputed calls

Warm-Up Suggestions

Circle Hold: the whole group joins hands in a circle and tries to stay connected while one person gently pulls. Practises the Defender mechanic.
Object Scramble: scatter objects on the ground and players race to collect as many as they can in 30 seconds. Practises the Raider mechanic.

Debrief Questions

What? “What worked for your team when you were Raiders? What changed when you switched to Defenders?”
So What? “What communication made the biggest difference in either role?”
Now What? “When do you switch between protecting something and going after something new?”

Cleanup and Reset