Bow, Stern

  1. Indoor Game
  2. Recess Games
  3. Rotational Games
  4. Tag Games

  • 11+ Players

  • Grades 3-5

  • Cones

  • 10-15 Minutes

This is an adult-led game great for getting energy out while practicing following directions.

Goal

to not be the last to follow the leader’s calls.

Before You Start

  • Designate one side as the “Bow” side and the opposite side as the “Stern” side.
  • Emphasize that this is a listening game as you tell players the rules.
  • Students should spread out in the middle of the play space.

Set Up

  • Find an open space like a gym or field.  Mark off a large open playing field in the shape of a rectangle with cones if no natural lines are available.

How to Play

  • The leader will shout out commands that players will follow:
    • Bow: Players should run to the “Bow” side.
    • Stern: Players should run to the “Stern” side.
    • Get in a boat of ___: Players should find and get in a group of whatever number you say.
    • Hit the deck: Players should get on the ground.
    • All clear: After you say hit the deck, players cannot follow any instructions you give UNTIL you say “all clear.”
  • If you call out a new command before every player has completed the previous command, the new command cancels out the previous one.
  • Students get a good job, nice try and step out of the game if:
    • They are the last player to arrive at the Bow or Stern side.
    • They do not make it into a boat.
    • They get up from “hit the deck” before “all clear” is called.

Variations

  • Instead of students getting eliminated after getting a “good job, nice try,” they can do five jumping jacks to return to the game.
  • Remove the “get in a boat” command if inclusivity is a problem for your group.  Or, count how many students are in the game to make sure you call out a number that is a factor of the total number of your group.
  • To make the game more difficult, instead of using two sides, use all four sides of your play space.  Call the sides “Port” and “Starboard” just like you would “Bow” or “Stern.”