Name & Purpose Heads or Tails Chase is a split-second decision game. Players pick a side, a coin decides who chases, and roles flip every round. Nobody is stuck as Tagger forever β teams keep reforming and everyone stays moving.
a.k.a. Coin Flip Tag, Flip Chase, Declare Tag
Age Band / Group Size / Time /Space Ages 8β16 | 10β40 players | 10β20 min | Medium to large outdoor field or gym
Materials
- 1 coin or large two-sided foam disc (different colours per side)
- 4β8 boundary cones
- Optional: coloured pinnies to mark Heads/Tails teams
Quick-Run Card Everyone spreads out. Counsellor calls “Declare!” β each player puts a hand on their head (Heads) or on their lower back (Tails). Flip the coin. Heads lands up = Heads team chases Tails team. Tails team runs. Tagged Tails players switch to the Heads team. Run for 60β90 seconds. Then reset and flip again. Play 3β4 rounds.
Variation (Freeze version): The winning-flip team chases. Tagged players freeze. Teammates unfreeze them with a touch. Frozen players call “Help!” to signal they need rescuing.
Setup & Boundaries Mark a large playing area with cones. Everyone starts scattered inside. Before the first round, practise the “Declare” signal β hand on head or hand on lower back. Show the coin (or disc) clearly so everyone understands what Heads and Tails look like.
How to Play
- Counsellor calls “Spread out β Declare!”
- Every player silently chooses Heads (hand on head) or Tails (hand on lower back).
- Counsellor flips the coin and calls the result clearly: “Heads!” or “Tails!”
- The called team chases. The other team runs.
- Tagged players switch teams by moving their hand signal (join the chasing team).
- Round lasts 60β90 seconds. Call “Freeze!” to end.
- Reset: everyone spreads out and declares again for the next round.
- Run 3β4 rounds. After each round, count team sizes β larger team wins that round.
I-OPt Roles All three styles active simultaneously:
- Quick-Switcher (Searcher): Watches the coin carefully, positions in the centre to quickly join whichever team needs to chase, adapts role each round.
- Fast Chaser (Performer): Commits fully to chasing β sprints toward targets as soon as the result is called.
- Team Anchor (Relater): Calls out to teammates, coordinates chasing routes, unfreeze allies in the freeze variation.
Inclusion Supports
- Use a large two-sided foam disc instead of a coin β easier for players with visual differences to read from a distance.
- Players who cannot chase can be designated “Signal Callers” β they hold and flip the disc and announce the result each round.
- Walking-only rounds available.
- Players who want to declare but not be chased can wear a coloured band β they can tag but cannot be tagged.
Stewardship Collect cones. 30-second reflection: “You had to commit to a choice without knowing the outcome. How does it feel to commit before you know what will happen? When does that happen in real life?”
Consent Pre-brief: “This is a chasing and tagging game β hand tags only, below the shoulder. Anyone can step to the sideline at any moment. No questions asked.” Mid-game check-in: Between rounds 2 and 3, counsellor asks: “Energy level good? Anyone need water before the next round?” Opt-out/re-entry: Players raise both hands to signal a break. They re-enter at the next “Declare!” call.
Risks & Mitigation
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Players don’t declare clearly and disputes arise | Medium | Require a clear, visible hand signal before each flip |
| Uneven teams β one side much larger | Low | Counsellor adjusts declarations (ask 2β3 volunteers to switch) |
| Players run into each other at the flip | Low | One-second delay after calling result before chasing begins |
| Freeze variation β frozen players not rescued | Low | Limit freeze duration to 30 seconds; auto-unfreeze and re-enter |
Warm-Up Suggestions
- “Heads or Tails Jump”: counsellor flips coin β Heads = jump up, Tails = crouch down. 10 fast rounds to warm up reactions.
- Boundary jog: group jogs the boundary once together.
Debrief What? “Which round was hardest β when you had to chase or when you had to run?” So what? “How did it feel to not know until the last second which team you were on?” Now what? “Think of a time when you had to commit to a decision before knowing the outcome β how did you handle the uncertainty?”
Cleanup & Reset Collect coin/disc and cones. Reset under 2 minutes.
Notes The freeze variation works better with groups who already know the base game. With very large groups (30+), use two simultaneous flip zones β one counsellor per zone. Avoid the freeze variation with very competitive groups as frozen players can become frustrated.
