Difference between revisions of "Play Capture the Flag"
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#*A house with a large front and back yard, or two equally large sides. | #*A house with a large front and back yard, or two equally large sides. | ||
#*A paintball course. | #*A paintball course. | ||
| − | #*A large stretch of woods, especially with a stream or set of power lines in the middle.<ref>http://www.kidzworld.com/article/4670-your-guide-to-capture-the-flag</ref> | + | #*A large stretch of woods, especially with a stream or set of power lines in the middle.<ref name="rf1">http://www.kidzworld.com/article/4670-your-guide-to-capture-the-flag</ref> |
#*You can play a modified version of capture the flag on completely flat ground as well. To do so, you simply place the flags at the farthest possible ends of the field in plain sight. Split the field in half, then start playing. The game then becomes more about running, dodging and tagging than hiding. | #*You can play a modified version of capture the flag on completely flat ground as well. To do so, you simply place the flags at the farthest possible ends of the field in plain sight. Split the field in half, then start playing. The game then becomes more about running, dodging and tagging than hiding. | ||
#Find an even number of people to play with. You can play with any number of people, but it is best with at least 10 or 12. This way you have two even teams of 5 or 6. If possible, try and find a way to separate the teams with different color shirts, hats, or bandanas. | #Find an even number of people to play with. You can play with any number of people, but it is best with at least 10 or 12. This way you have two even teams of 5 or 6. If possible, try and find a way to separate the teams with different color shirts, hats, or bandanas. | ||
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#*The flag must be visible from one angle (not underneath a covering or stuffed in a mailbox). | #*The flag must be visible from one angle (not underneath a covering or stuffed in a mailbox). | ||
#*The flag cannot be tied down or wedged -- you need to be able to grab it as you run past. | #*The flag cannot be tied down or wedged -- you need to be able to grab it as you run past. | ||
| − | #*The flag can't be buried or raised up so that it can't be quickly snagged.<ref>http://sportsvite.com/sports/CapturetheFlag/rules</ref> | + | #*The flag can't be buried or raised up so that it can't be quickly snagged.<ref name="rf2">http://sportsvite.com/sports/CapturetheFlag/rules</ref> |
| − | #Pick "jails" for each team. Jail is where a player goes if they get tagged by an opponent. If your teammate is tagged, you can run over and tag them to "free" them again. Jails are usually picked right in the center of each team's territory, and they should both be the same distance from the center line for each team.<ref | + | #Pick "jails" for each team. Jail is where a player goes if they get tagged by an opponent. If your teammate is tagged, you can run over and tag them to "free" them again. Jails are usually picked right in the center of each team's territory, and they should both be the same distance from the center line for each team.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #Talk about any "specialty" rules before starting the game. Capture the flag is a pretty simple game -- you try and get the flag from the other team back to your side. If you get tagged you go to jail until someone on your team saves you. But there are some small rules that are best worked out before you start playing. There is no "right" way to play, so simply pick the rules that you like the most:<ref>http://www.playflags.com/rules/</ref> | + | #Talk about any "specialty" rules before starting the game. Capture the flag is a pretty simple game -- you try and get the flag from the other team back to your side. If you get tagged you go to jail until someone on your team saves you. But there are some small rules that are best worked out before you start playing. There is no "right" way to play, so simply pick the rules that you like the most:<ref name="rf3">http://www.playflags.com/rules/</ref> |
#*One-handed tagging, or two-handed tagging? | #*One-handed tagging, or two-handed tagging? | ||
#*When a player is freed from jail do they need to run back to their side before getting re-tagged, or do they get a free walk back? | #*When a player is freed from jail do they need to run back to their side before getting re-tagged, or do they get a free walk back? | ||
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#*If you grab the flag and are tagged, do you drop the flag there or let the other team return it? | #*If you grab the flag and are tagged, do you drop the flag there or let the other team return it? | ||
#*Can you move your own team's flag somewhere new? | #*Can you move your own team's flag somewhere new? | ||
| − | #*How far must a player stand away from their own flag (ie. no guarding the flag so that it is impossible to pick up)?<ref>https://www.thegamegal.com/2010/10/28/capture-the-flag/</ref> | + | #*How far must a player stand away from their own flag (ie. no guarding the flag so that it is impossible to pick up)?<ref name="rf4">https://www.thegamegal.com/2010/10/28/capture-the-flag/</ref> |
===Playing Strategically=== | ===Playing Strategically=== | ||
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#*This is a great variation for Open-Field games, where it is impossible to hide a flag. | #*This is a great variation for Open-Field games, where it is impossible to hide a flag. | ||
#Hide multiple flags per team. This is a great way to extend the game longer, or make it more fun for larger groups (20+) in large areas. Give each team 3-5 flags to hide individually. The game is not over until all the flags are found by one team. | #Hide multiple flags per team. This is a great way to extend the game longer, or make it more fun for larger groups (20+) in large areas. Give each team 3-5 flags to hide individually. The game is not over until all the flags are found by one team. | ||
| − | #*You can also give each flag a point score, based on the difficulty of finding and returning it to your base. Set a time limit on the game, and the team with the most points at the end wins.<ref>http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/ultimate-capture-the-flag.html</ref> | + | #*You can also give each flag a point score, based on the difficulty of finding and returning it to your base. Set a time limit on the game, and the team with the most points at the end wins.<ref name="rf5">http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/ultimate-capture-the-flag.html</ref> |
#Try out Night Capture the Flag. Don flashlights or headlamps and head out for a spooky, extra challenging game of CTF. To prevent dangerous collisions, make a rule that you can only be running with a light on. However, turning your light off and sneaking slowly around is a great way to search for the flag, or spring a trap on an unsuspecting attacker. | #Try out Night Capture the Flag. Don flashlights or headlamps and head out for a spooky, extra challenging game of CTF. To prevent dangerous collisions, make a rule that you can only be running with a light on. However, turning your light off and sneaking slowly around is a great way to search for the flag, or spring a trap on an unsuspecting attacker. | ||
| − | #Tag people with water balloons or "flour bombs" instead of your hands. For a safer, easier version of paintball capture the flag, cut up several pairs of pantyhose into small, 3-4 inch long strips. Tie one end up and fill it with enough flour that it is easily thrown back and forth. Tie the top up, and make sure all the players are wearing dark clothing. Now, instead of tagging someone, you have to hit them with the flour bomb, which will leave a puff of flour as proof.<ref>https://www.thegamegal.com/2011/10/08/flour-bomb-capture-the-flag/</ref> | + | #Tag people with water balloons or "flour bombs" instead of your hands. For a safer, easier version of paintball capture the flag, cut up several pairs of pantyhose into small, 3-4 inch long strips. Tie one end up and fill it with enough flour that it is easily thrown back and forth. Tie the top up, and make sure all the players are wearing dark clothing. Now, instead of tagging someone, you have to hit them with the flour bomb, which will leave a puff of flour as proof.<ref name="rf6">https://www.thegamegal.com/2011/10/08/flour-bomb-capture-the-flag/</ref> |
#*Water balloons or water guns can be substituted as well, but refilling them takes time, especially over a long game. | #*Water balloons or water guns can be substituted as well, but refilling them takes time, especially over a long game. | ||
#Set up a neutral zone where no one can be tagged. Having a neutral zone prevents impossible-to-judge situations where two players tag each other near or on the line. To do so, simply make the center line 3-5 yards wide. If you're in this area, no one can be tagged and sent to jail. Players are not allowed to go to the neutral zone and stay there! That is considered cheating. | #Set up a neutral zone where no one can be tagged. Having a neutral zone prevents impossible-to-judge situations where two players tag each other near or on the line. To do so, simply make the center line 3-5 yards wide. If you're in this area, no one can be tagged and sent to jail. Players are not allowed to go to the neutral zone and stay there! That is considered cheating. | ||
