Name & Purpose: Everybody’s It is an all-play tag game where every player is simultaneously chasing and fleeing. The chain-link sit/stand mechanic means no one is ever truly out. It builds 360-degree awareness and persistence.
a.k.a.: All-It Tag, Total Tag, Knee Tag
Age Band / Group Size / Time / Space: 8β16 years / 10β35 players / 10β20 minutes / Medium to large open field or gym with clear boundary
Materials: Cones for boundary.
Quick-Run Card: 1. Set boundary. 2. Everyone is IT. 3. Tag below the knee only. 4. Tagged? Sit down where you are. 5. Watch your tagger. When they sit, you stand back up. 6. Two players tag each other simultaneously β both sit. 7. Last two standing stalemate for 30+ seconds? Call “Everyone up!” and restart.
Setup & Boundaries: Mark a clear boundary. Confirm the surface is safe for sitting (no sharp objects, dry ground). Brief the knee-and-below rule clearly. Demonstrate the sit-and-watch mechanic before starting.
How to Play: On the signal, everyone chases everyone. Tag any player on the knee or below β gentle touch, no kicking. Tagged players sit immediately and point at their tagger. When your tagger is tagged and sits, you stand back up instantly. Simultaneous tags: both sit, each watches the other’s tagger. Out of bounds: sit at the boundary edge, re-enter when your tagger sits. If only two players remain standing for more than 30 seconds, the counsellor calls “Everyone up!” and the round restarts. Play multiple rounds.
I-OPt Roles: Active Tagger β sprint, tag, and track your own tagger constantly. Strategic Tracker β focus on watching your tagger and calling out chain reactions to nearby seated players. Boundary Monitor β stand at the edge, call out-of-bounds, confirm re-entries when taggers go down.
Inclusion Supports: Seated players remain fully engaged β watching their tagger is the core cognitive challenge. Players with limited mobility can tag from a seated position if someone enters their reach. Reduce boundary size for mixed-ability groups. The Boundary Monitor role is active without requiring running.
Stewardship: Collect cones. Reflection prompt: “One player going down can free five others. What does that chain reaction tell you about how connected we all are?”
Consent: Pre-brief: “Tags are below the knee only β gentle touch. You will sit on the ground when tagged. If sitting on the ground is not right for you, the Boundary Monitor role keeps you active standing. Step out any time β re-enter next round.” Mid-game check-in: After round one, ask “Tag height staying low? Anyone need the boundary adjusted?” Opt-out/re-entry: Sideline as Boundary Monitor; re-enter next round.
Risks & Mitigation:
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Tags landing above the knee | Medium | Pre-brief clearly; counsellor calls high tags β tagger sits as penalty |
| Seated players as trip hazards | Medium | Seated players stay still; no sliding or reaching with legs |
| Players losing track of their tagger | High | Point at your tagger immediately when you sit β physical cue |
| Disputes over simultaneous tags | Medium | Both sit; no arguments β rock-paper-scissors if needed |
Warm-Up Suggestions: Knee Touch Drill β in pairs, try to touch your partner’s knee while protecting yours (30 seconds each). Direction-Change Jog β jog freely, change direction on every clap.
Debrief: What? “Describe the biggest chain reaction you saw β one player sits and many stand up.” So what? “How did it feel to wait for your tagger to go down?” Now what? “When does your ability to act depend on what someone else does?”
Cleanup & Reset: Collect cones. Confirm all seated players have stood. Ready to replay in 30 seconds.
