Layout Table~~~~582~582~~

Hold the Line~Age Range: Any
This game is a great practise one to “warm up” for the other games, but it’s also good fun in and of itself. Each game plays out very quickly, and it has the advantage that you don’t stay “dead” for more than a few seconds at a time.

You need something to mark “the line” for this one – a piece of string or ribbon works well. Lay the line across the middle of the playing area. Each team has one half of the playing area, and fights the other team over the line in the middle. If you cross the line, you lose. If you’re reduced to 0 hit points, you lose. If you lose, you have to walk round the edge of the battle and join the enemy side, at the end of the line. The game ends when everyone on one side has lost.

Variant: Shield Wall. This one works best for teenagers or older children (12+). Everyone has a shield as well as a sword. Mark out three parallel lines on the ground – a centre line, and the other two about 3 metres away from it, one on each team’s side. You don’t lose by crossing the centre line, but you do lose if you’re forced behind the line on your own side. Pushing with shields is fine in this game.

Concept by Ian Sturrock.~~~582~586~~