Civil War
Description / Objective: This game is a combination Capture the Flag / Dodge Ball type game in which the “Confederate” and “Union” armies try to capture each others “General” (or in this game Light of Liberty or the Torch of Freedom) and bring it back to their side.
Equipment:
- Gator Skin Balls (plastic covered sponge balls),
- A lot of gym mats (that you stand up to make your “Fighting Walls” and / or “Tunnels”),
- Four bowling pins (2 on a side), and
- Two “Generals” or any figurines that can be the ”target” of the game. (i.e. in this video, I use two “Noel Candles” that are used during the Holiday season that are labeled the “Flame of Freedom” (for the Union army) and the “Torch of Liberty” (for the Confederate army).
Set-Up:
1) The gym is divided into halves…the “Union” army on one end and the “Confederate” army on the opposite side.
2) A gymnastic, folding mat is stood up, placed in a circular fashion and placed in the middle of the gym floor. This is the “Ammunition Depot”
3) Other mats (aka “Fighting Walls”) are stationed in two rows about 10 feet apart.
4) The Space between the two rows of Fighting Walls is called “No Man’s Land”
5) One figurine is placed on each side preferably on the far end line of a team’s side.
6) Two Bowling pins are placed about 3-5 feet away from each side of the figurine.
7) A “Graveyard” (Bleachers or any other assigned area) is set up on each side of the gym
Rules:
1) All of the Gator balls are placed inside the “Ammunition Depot” except one ball per side.
2) Both teams start on their back end of the gym…each team with only one ball.
3) On the signal, both teams enter “No Man’s Land” get to the Ammunition Depot and get as many balls as possible.
4) Note on “No Man’s Land”: Players from each team can be in No Man’s Land at the same time and get each other out. A player from a team can also advance all the way to their opponents mat “Fighting Wall”.
5) A person is “Out” when the ball they throw is caught or if they get hit with a ball (NOT THE HEAD). If a person throws a ball and hits someone in the head…they are OUT FOR THE ENTIRE GAME.
6) When a person is “Out”, they go to the “Graveyard” and wait for the “Reinforcement” call.
7) Every minute or so, the teacher yells out “REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ARRIVED!” and everyone who is in the “Graveyard” re-enters the game.
8) Once a team knocks over the opposing teams two bowling pins, they then have access to the other team’s side. They can then enter “Enemy Territory” try to capture the figurine and get back to “No Man’s Land” safely to win the game.
9) You can make “Tunnels” with the mats
Note: Safety is the most important thing. Head shots are never allowed and no one is allowed to jump onto any of the mats (especially if you have “Tunnels”).
