Name & Purpose Bodyguard Tag gives every player a life system β and a re-entry path. Players balance movement with protection, stay engaged even when down, and celebrate when someone brings them back into the game.
a.k.a. Guardian Tag, Shield Tag, Armour Tag
Age Band / Group Size / Time / Space Ages 8β16 | 8β30 players | 15β25 minutes | Medium to large field or gym
Materials None
Quick-Run Card
- Pick 2β3 Chasers for a group of 15β30.
- First tag: cover the tagged spot with one hand β that hand is your ‘shield.’
- Second tag: cover new spot with second hand β both hands occupied.
- Third tag: sit where you are β you are a ‘Ground Guardian.’
- Ground Guardians can tag anyone who walks within arm’s reach.
- A standing free player who touches a Ground Guardian revives them β they stand up fresh.
Setup & Boundaries Cone a clear boundary. Adjust size: smaller boundary increases Chaser success rate; larger boundary favours runners. Make sure the ground is free of hazards β Ground Guardians will sit on it. Brief the group on the three states: Two-Shield, One-Shield, and Ground Guardian. Demonstrate each state physically before starting.
How to Play Two or three players start as Chasers. Everyone else is a Runner. When a Chaser tags a Runner, the Runner covers that tagged body part with one hand and keeps running β this is their first shield. A second tag means they cover a second spot with their other hand and keep moving (with both hands occupied). A third tag means they sit down immediately β they become a Ground Guardian. Ground Guardians sit cross-legged and keep both arms free. They can tag any standing player who comes within arm’s reach. If a free Runner touches a Ground Guardian, the Guardian stands back up with both shields removed β fresh start. No one is truly eliminated. The ground state is active and temporary.
I-OPt Roles Offer players three simultaneous options each round:
- Evader β run fast, dodge Chasers, protect your shields and stay standing.
- Reviver β focus on reviving Ground Guardians; accept the risk of tags to bring teammates back.
- Ground Guardian (reactive role entered by tags) β stay sharp from the ground, tag passing players, signal to Revivers where you are.
Inclusion Supports
- Players with mobility limitations start as Ground Guardians by choice β they sit in a key zone and their tags carry full weight.
- Players who cannot sit on the ground use a chair or kneel on a foam pad to mark their Ground Guardian state.
- Reduce tags to ‘two states’ (one shield then ground) for younger or newer players β simpler to track.
- Use coloured bibs or wristbands to show shield state visually for players who track better with visual cues.
Stewardship Action: Ground Guardians are responsible for the area within arm’s reach β if they see a hazard (stone, stick, rubbish), they signal a counsellor. 30-sec reflection: ‘What did it feel like to be revived by someone? What did it cost them to come and get you?’
Consent Pre-brief: ‘This game involves tagging on body parts. Tags are light touches β never on the head or face. Before we start: does anyone have a shoulder, arm, or leg injury I should know about? We will work around it.’ Mid-game check-in: After round one, ‘Is the pace fair? Do we need more or fewer Chasers?’ Opt-out/re-entry: Players walk to the boundary and raise a hand. They re-enter as Ground Guardians β seated and active β at any time.
Risks & Mitigation
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Tags on head or face | Low | Pre-brief clearly; counsellor calls foul if it occurs and pauses play |
| Injury to seated players from running feet | Medium | Ground Guardians must sit cross-legged (not sprawled); runner slow-down rule near seated players |
| Players forgetting their shield count | Low | Use coloured wristbands or hand signals to track states |
| Game stalls if no Revivers emerge | Medium | Counsellor designates one player per round as the ‘head Reviver’ |
Warm-Up Suggestions
- ‘One-Hand Challenge’ β try to tie a shoe or catch a ball with only one hand to simulate the shield state.
- ‘Sit-Stand Sprint’ β practice quickly sitting down and standing up to make ground transitions smooth.
Debrief What? ‘How did your strategy change as you lost shields? What did you do differently with both hands occupied?’ So what? ‘What made the Ground Guardian state feel active instead of eliminated? Did the revival mechanic change how you played?’ Now what? ‘Think of a time you helped someone back into something after they had been knocked down. What did that take from you?’
Cleanup & Reset Collect cones and any bibs or wristbands used. Check ground for hazards left after sitting players. Reset.
