Catch Ones at the Back

The “Catch Ones at the Back” icebreaker is a fun and engaging group activity that promotes teamwork, reaction skills, and physical activity. The purpose of this game is to have fun and build connections within a group, making it suitable for both children and adults. During the icebreaker, players form a line connected by their shoulders or waists, with one player designated as the catcher. The objective for the line of players is to protect their tail, which is the last person in the line who must avoid getting tagged by the catcher. Meanwhile, the catcher aims to quickly chase and tag the tail. Once the tail is tagged, they become the new catcher, and the game continues until all players have been caught. This icebreaker can be played with a medium to large group of any age and does not require any preparation or materials, making it a convenient and enjoyable option for any gathering.

1. The game host will assign a catcher, while the rest of the participants will form a line.
2. The goal of the line of players is to protect their tail. The last player must escape from the catcher and avoid getting tagged.
3. The head of the line is the leader of the team and must lead the group to find a strategy to protect the tail.
4. The catcher must be swift enough to run after the tail of the line.
5. Once the player on the tail end is tagged, he is out. The game goes on until all the players are tagged one by one at the tail end of the line.
6. A variation for this game is to divide the team into two groups of equal numbers. Both teams will form a chain and will assign their head and tail.
7. The two teams are placed on opposite ends of the play area.
8. Once the game host signals, “Go!” The head of each line will then be the catcher of the tail end of their opponent’s line.
9. The first team who gets to tag all the players from their opponent’s line wins!

• Open space: This game is best played in a large open area, such as a park or gym, to allow for running and movement.
• A group of people: At least five people are needed to play this game, with no maximum limit. The more participants, the more fun the game will be!
• Optional: A way to designate the catcher and the line of players This could be a simple object such as a hat or a flag that the catcher holds, or a different colored shirt for the catcher to wear.

To set up for the “Catch Ones at the Back” icebreaker activity, you will need to choose a medium to large-sized group of people, ideally with at least five participants. Determine the location for the game, which can be either indoors in a gym or outdoors in an open space.

The host of the game should then assign a catcher and have the rest of the participants form a line while holding onto each other’s shoulders or waists to create a chain. The goal is to protect the tail, so the last player needs to be far enough from the catcher to avoid getting tagged immediately.

There are no materials required for this game, and it can be played impromptu with just a group of people and an open space.

1. Designate a Catcher: I will choose one person to be the catcher for the round.
2. Form a Chain: Everyone else will form a single file line, connecting with each other either by holding shoulders or waists.
3. Determine the Goal: The objective of the line is to protect the tail (the last person in the chain) from being tagged by the catcher.
4. Select a Leader: The first person in the line serves as the leader and should focus on guiding the group in their efforts to protect the tail.
5. Escape the Catcher: The player at the end of the line (the tail) must attempt to evade being tagged by the catcher.
6. Swift Movement: The catcher must quickly chase after the tail, attempting to tag them. Once tagged, that person becomes the new catcher.
7. Continue Playing: The game continues until all players, one-by-one, are tagged at the end of the line.

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• Encourages Physical Activity: The game “Catch Ones at the Back” is an active game that requires running and movement, which can help to improve players’ physical fitness and overall health.
• Fosters Teamwork and Communication: By working together to protect their tail and come up with strategies, players can develop important teamwork and communication skills.
• Boosts Confidence and Leadership: The game gives players the opportunity to take on leadership roles as they lead their group in protecting the tail. This can help to boost confidence and leadership abilities.
• Improves Reaction Time: Players must be quick to react in order to avoid being tagged by the catcher. This can help to improve reaction time and decision-making skills.
• Provides a Fun and Engaging Experience: The game is designed to be fun and engaging for players of all ages, making it a great way to bring people together for a positive and enjoyable experience.

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• Reaction speed: Catch Ones at the Back requires players to constantly pay attention and react quickly to the movements of the catcher and their teammates. This helps improve reaction time and decision-making skills.
• Running endurance: The game involves a lot of running, which can help build stamina and endurance. Regularly playing this game can contribute to overall physical fitness and cardiovascular health.
• Teamwork and communication: As players work together to protect their tail, they need to communicate effectively and coordinate their movements. This helps build teamwork skills, trust, and collaboration among the group members.
• Strategic thinking: The game encourages players to think creatively and strategically about how to best protect their tail while also trying to tag the opponent’s tail. This develops critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Leadership: By serving as the head of the line, a player has the opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills by guiding the team’s movements and encouraging cooperation among members.

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I like the Catch Ones at the Back icebreaker because it’s a simple yet exciting group game that can be played by people of all ages. It’s a great way to promote teamwork and communication, as the players in the line must work together to protect their tail from being caught by the designated catcher. I also like that there is no need for any special materials or preparation – all you need is an outdoor space and enough participants to form a chain.

One of my favorite aspects of this game is that it can be played competitively in teams, adding an element of friendly competition to the mix. This variation allows players to not only work together with their teammates but also strategize against their opponents. It’s a great way to build relationships and foster a sense of community among the group.

Overall, I find Catch Ones at the Back to be a fun and engaging icebreaker that can help bring people together through play and collaboration.

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• Tip: Use a variety of movement styles. Encourage players to move in different ways, such as crawling, jumping, or rolling, to accommodate different physical abilities and preferences.
• Tip: Assign buddy pairs. If there are players who may need additional support or accommodations, consider assigning them a buddy pair to work together during the game.
• Tip: Modify the rules as needed. Feel free to adjust the rules of the game to better suit the needs and abilities of all participants. For example, you could allow players to be “it” for shorter periods of time or provide additional safe spaces for players to retreat to.
• Tip: Use clear communication. Make sure all players understand the rules and objectives of the game, and encourage them to communicate openly with one another about their needs and boundaries.
• Tip: Emphasize process over product. Rather than focusing on who “wins” or “loses,” highlight the fun and enjoyment of playing together as a group. Celebrate individual and team efforts, and create a positive and inclusive atmosphere for all.

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1. What was your favorite part of playing “Catch Ones at the Back” and why? This question can help participants reflect on what they enjoyed most about the game, which could provide insight into their preferences for group activities.
2. How did you feel when you were the catcher trying to tag the tail of the line? This question can help participants empathize with different perspectives and roles in the game, which can be beneficial for team-building and communication skills.
3. Did you come up with any strategies while playing as part of the chain? If so, what were they? This question can encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as promote a sense of accomplishment if participants successfully protected their tail from being tagged.
4. How did communication and teamwork play a role in your success or challenges during the game? This question can help participants understand the importance of effective communication and collaboration in achieving shared goals, which is relevant to many real-world scenarios.
5. What lessons or takeaways from playing “Catch Ones at the Back” do you think you could apply to other areas of your life? This question can encourage reflection on personal growth and development, as well as promote a positive attitude towards learning and improvement.

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