6-7 Tag

Written By Lee Hartley

Objective:

Avoid getting tagged by “6”, and work with “7” to keep players in the game by unfreezing them quickly.

Player "6" (in red) is gently tagging a runner who is frozen and yelling "SIX!". Simultaneously, player "7" (in blue) is unfreezing another player with a friendly high-five.

Set-up:

  • Mark a 20x20 area using cones.

  • Choose:

    • 1 player = “6” (the tagger)

    • 1 player = “7” (the saver)

How to Play:

  • 6 tries to tag runners.

  • If a runner gets tagged, they freeze in place and yell “SIX!”

  • 7 unfreezes frozen players by giving them a high-five (or quick tap).

  • Role Switch Rule

    • If 7 tags 6, they switch roles immediately

    • Old 6 becomes new 7, old 7 becomes new 6

  • Play for 1–2 minutes, then rotate new players into 6 and 7 if needed.

Progressions / Variations

Hula Hoop Safe Spots (Simple)

  • Place 3–6 hula hoops or spots around the area (spread out).

  • While inside, they cannot be tagged

  • After 3 seconds, they must step out and keep playing

  • No camping (coach counts out loud if needed)

Ball Throw Unfreeze (Instead of High-Five)

  • 7 holds a foam ball

  • When someone is tagged and frozen, 7 must throw the ball to them

  • If the frozen player catches the ball, they are unfrozen

  • The player throws it back to 7 and keeps playing

If the throw is off, 7 can retrieve and try again
Make it easier by allowing a bounce pass

Ball Hit Switch (Instead of Tagging 6)

  • Instead of tagging 6, 7 can throw the foam ball and hit 6

  • If 6 gets hit, they switch roles immediately

  • (Same switch rule as normal tagging)

Rule: Below the shoulders only
Use soft foam balls only

Here, a player is utilizing a hula hoop as a safe spot. They are safely inside the hoop, demonstrating the 3-second rule by holding up three fingers. The tagger ("6") is nearby but cannot tag them.

This image shows the ball progressions. Player "7" (in blue) gently throws the ball to a frozen player to unfreeze them.

The Game Encourages

  • Speed & movement

  • Awareness and quick reactions

  • Teamwork + helping others

  • Hand-eye coordination (with the ball progressions)

  • Fun + positive chaos control 😄

Equipment

  • Cones (boundaries)

  • Hula hoops or spots (safe zones)

  • 1 soft foam ball (for progressions)

  • Pinnies (optional for 6 and 7)

 
Lee Hartley
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The Grinch