Ship and Shore

Name and Purpose

Ship and Shore is a high-energy listening and movement game that builds quick reactions and group fun.
Players practise following directions, spatial awareness, and working with others in a fast-paced setting.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Large open area with two clearly marked sides (Ship and Shore)

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Mark two sides. One person is the Captain.
Captain calls commands; players do the matching action.
Players who hesitate or choose the wrong group do a quick fun task (3 star jumps) and re-enter immediately.
Add new commands gradually to build challenge.
End on Captain’s Coming: everyone salutes, holds, Captain calls “At ease” and the game ends with a group cheer.

Setup and Boundaries

How to Play

One volunteer or counsellor starts as the Captain.
Captain calls commands one at a time. Players respond with the matching action:
- Ship: run to the Ship side
- Shore: run to the Shore side
- Man Overboard: pairs only. One partner kneels; the other places one foot gently on their partner’s back and shades their eyes
- Crow’s Nest: groups of 3 stand back-to-back and link arms
- Captain’s Coming: everyone salutes and freezes. Cannot move until Captain calls “At ease”
- At Ease: hands at sides; ready for next command
- Hit the Deck: everyone lies on their belly
- Three in a Boat: groups of 3 squat in a line and mime rowing while humming Row Your Boat
- Octopus: everyone lies on their back and wiggles arms and legs in the air
Players who miss a command or are the odd one out in a group action do 3 star jumps and immediately re-enter. No one sits out.
Captain can combine commands and speed up the pace as the group gets more confident.
End the game on Captain’s Coming, hold the salute, then call “At ease” and lead a group cheer.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Sprint to each side, be first to form groups
S (Support): Help newer players find a group; call out commands to teammates
Q (Quiet): Walk to each side; focus on accuracy over speed
O (Observer): Watch one round, then join; Captain role is a good entry point

Inclusion Adaptations

Man Overboard: the kneeling position can be replaced by crouching beside a partner or holding hands and looking out instead
Hit the Deck: players who cannot lie on the floor can crouch or sit instead
Crow’s Nest arm-linking can be replaced by partners touching elbows or holding a rope handle

Stewardship Moment

Consent

Pre-brief: “Some commands involve getting into positions with others (like back-to-back or kneeling). For those not comfortable with physical closeness or floor positions, alternative versions of each action are available. Just let your counsellor know.”
Mid-game check: After 5 minutes, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How’s everyone going?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Players can step to the sideline at any time. They re-enter on the next command.

Risks and Mitigation

Running collisions: remind players to watch where they are going; slow down for first round
Man Overboard foot-on-back: ensure this is a light, consented touch only; offer alternative immediately
Hit the Deck on hard surfaces: use only on grass or gym mats; skip this command on pavement or gravel

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Simon Says”: familiar format primes players for listening and freezing
“Direction Dash”: point left/right/forward and players move that way; builds Ship/Shore instinct

Debrief Questions

What? “Which command got you every time? What happened in your brain when it did?”
So What? “What helped you respond faster as the game went on?”
Now What? “Where in your day do you have to listen carefully and act quickly?”

Cleanup and Reset