If you did not grow up with the 20th-century classic Capture The Flag the first thing you need to know is that you need lots of playing space, typically outside. And, in this brilliant variant, you will also need lots of flags.
Identify a large outside area and divide it neatly into two halves. One half of the space belongs to one half of your group and vice versa. This is their home turf, and is considered ‘safe.’
Then, place an equal number of easily identifiable flags and a bucket at the rear of each safe area. The bigger and wider your space, the better. Depending on the size and topography of your area, you may invite each team to randomly distribute their flags across their own defensible zone.
Finally, arm each team with a bunch of soft tossables, such as fleece-balls, and you are ready to explain the rules.
Upon an agreed signal, each team will attempt to enter the space of their opponent, try to steal one or more of their opponent’s flags, return to their safe area and place them in their own bucket.
A person can only steal one flag at a time. The first team to recover all ten flags, or eliminate all of their opponents, wins. Which raises the question, how does someone get eliminated?
A person may be eliminated by being (a) tagged when they are in their opponent’s safe area, or (b) hit by a soft tossable when they are in their own safe area.
If someone has successfully stolen a flag, but is eliminated (tagged or hit by a tossable) before they can place the flag into their team’s bucket, the flag must be dropped immediately and may be reclaimed by either team.
Same holds true for discarded tossables – they may be reclaimed by any person and brought back into play.
If a person picks up one of their own flags, they should return it to the bucket in their safe zone as soon as possible. Naturally, if they are tagged in the process, the flag may change possession again.
Being eliminated simply means enjoying the action from the sidelines. If this presents an issue for your group, consider adopting one or more alternatives (see Variations tab) which keep more people active for longer.
Strategy clearly plays a role in this activity, so feel free to allow each team some time before and during the contest (eg, you could give them several five-minute rounds) to plan their attack.
You can expect to play for up to 40 or more minutes, perhaps split into two or more sessions.
But keep it light, it’s a game remember. It’s nice to win, but this should not be viewed as a proxy for warfare.
You could integrate Capture The Flags as part of a well-designed SEL program to develop your group’s ability to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate diverse settings and groups.
Specifically, this activity offers opportunities to explore and practice the following social & interpersonal skills:
Self-Awareness
- Recognising Strengths, Prejudices & Biases
- Demonstrating Self-Confidence, Honesty & Integrity
Self-Management
- Demonstrating Self-Discipline & Self-Motivation
- Setting Personal & Group Goals
- Taking Initiative
- Use Planning & Organisational Skills
Social Awareness
- Recognising Strengths In Others
- Respecting Others
Relationship Skills
- Communicate & Listen Effectively
- Seeking and/or Offering Support
- Build Positive Relationships
- Work Collaboratively
- Showing Leadership
Responsible Decision-Making
- Anticipating & Evaluating the Consequences of One’s Actions
- Promoting Personal & Collective Well-Being
You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.
Behavioural Norms
The intensity and length of time your group may be actively engaged in this game make it an ideal vehicle for exploring and developing healthy and respectful norms. There are obvious teamwork elements at play as much as respect for the rules, but also opportunities for certain unhealthy behaviours to emerge from the competitive fervour such as aggression, coercion and intimidation. In addition to those described in the Reflection Tips tab, you may wish to invite your group to reflect on these questions:
- Was the game played in the spirit of healthy or unhealthy competition? Why?
- Did you observe any conflicts that concerned you? How were they resolved?
- Did you/we observe all of the game’s rules and safety parameters?
- How might we reconcile these behaviours with our full value agreement?
- Were there moments in which compassion or empathy was demonstrated?
- Can you think of a time when compassion or empathy would have been useful?
As described in the Social-Emotional Learning tab, you may also wish to explore other valuable topics such as leadership, goal-setting and taking initiative.
Fantastic wide game for big groups. Don’t think we play these big games enough. Certainly great to get people moving about and having fun while also practicing their problem solving and collaborative skills.