In brief: In pairs, ‘police’ try to tag ‘thief’ in a confined small area.
Intensity: High
Introduction: A fun and energising game. The smaller the play area, the greater the fun.
Prop(s): None
How to play:
- Mark an area of about 5 metres by 5 metres for a group of 20 participants (yes, the play area is meant to be small).
- Get the participants to form pairs.
- The game is played only between members of each pair.
- One member will be the ‘policeman’ and the other will be the ‘thief’.
- All the participants must shuffle (walk without lifting the feet off the ground) and display the ‘bumper’ (both hands opened and placed in front of the face to protect it) (see picture – bottom right).
- At the word “Go!” the ‘policemen’ will turn 2 rounds on the spot (to allow the ‘thieves’ to move away).
- Each ‘policeman’ will then move off to ’catch’ his/her personal ‘thief’.
- Once tagged, the roles are reversed. The new ‘policeman’ will turn 2 rounds on the spot and the game resumed.
Caution:
- No running is allowed.
- The ‘bumper’ position must always be maintained to avoid participants banging into each other.
Variation(s):
- In one occassion, I chose a location where there was a pillar in the middle of the play area. It added an extra element of fun to have the players going round and round the pillar trying to hide from their partners.
Notes to the Facilitator: I often use this game as a prelude to game requiring ‘shuffle walk’ or ‘bumper position’.