No.284
Bentengan: Base Tag
Japanese name: ベンテンガン（陣取りおに）
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Diagram key
- C
- Base A
- D
- Base B
- E
- 10~15m
- F
- B’s holding area
- G
- A’s holding area
- H
- A leaves first; B leaves later.
- I
- B may chase A.
- J
- Returning to base updates A’s time.
- K
- Rescued players are protected while returning to base.
Materials
- Team markers in two colours
- 2 large cones for the bases
- Markers for the waiting areas
- A timer
How to play
- Make equal teams and place their base cones 10–15 m apart. Everyone starts by touching their own base. Aim to touch the other team’s base first.
- When opposing players meet away from base, the one who touched their own base more recently may tag the other. Returning to touch your base resets this priority.
- Tag gently on the upper arm. If the order is unclear, both players return to their own bases. A player touching their base cannot be caught.
- Captured players wait in a marked area beside the opponents’ base. A teammate’s touch rescues them. Both raise one hand and return home, immune from capture on the way. Touch the home base before rejoining.
- Touching the enemy base or sending all opponents to their waiting area wins the round. If undecided after 5 minutes, draw. Swap bases and play another round. No pushing, grabbing or physical obstruction.
Ways to adapt
Older primary: practise walking one player at a time. Secondary students and adults: play with the full teams.