Teamwork, Team Games - Tag Games and Personal Space Games

Tag Games


Consider when you were a child....


Playing tag was very simple when someone was "in" and if you weren't....you tried your best not to be. Simple rules to simple games....make life simple. You can possibly then make the assumption that simple rules of your life....make simple life direction, morals, behaviour etc.


So to add to that simple games were FUN. Doesn't everyone want a FUN life ?


You ask how does this relate to team building strategies ? Well, whenever you are in a performing team, you have to be comfortable with the person next to you, the way they act in certain situations, the way they speak, and the way they think etc. So being comfortable means being comfortable with an impingement upon your personal space, mind, and thoughts.


Tag game represents a simple rule of touching and you the are "in".


S-Teem instructors may spend only a small time on this subject to demonstrate, but how many times do you play tag with your children, and instantly your face breaks out into a smile ?


So here are the games :


Chain Tag : In a small cordoned off area, people are ushered into the area, and one person is "in". That person then tries to tag another person, they then hold hands and try to tag other people. When tagged, the person must join the chain. However the rule is that only the outside people must tag the free runners or otherwise the chain is broken, and thus the tag is ruled invalid. The chain must act as a team to successfully tag all and sundry within the area.


Seem familiar ? The chain is a team of people trying to reach their goal of tagging a person/s to successfully reach their goal.


Smurf Tag : Again, in a small cordoned off area, one person is Gargomoyle (tagger) and walks around with stiff arms and legs. The rest are the Smurfs, and they mustonly skip while singing the smurf tune (la la la lalalah lala lah). When a smurf is tagged, they stand still and call out in a little voice..."help me , help me". Other smurfs can free them by pairing up and holding hands around the tagged smurf whilst jumping up and down three times calling out " be free, be free, be free". However, it is important who you first select as Gargomoyle. If Gargomoyle struggles, you can add another Gargomoyle to the game to help wind it up.


Smiling yet ?


The above may seem childish, but how many times we let our barriers down once we are having fun. These games have a direct feed into teamwork, whether they are acting together to tag the "survivors....or they act as a team to "free" their friends...albiet in an impish sort of way.

Remember : When considering organising games of a nature where there is body contact or an injury can occur, please ensure all safety precautions are in place before you start.