How to Play Capture the Flag

It has probably been a good twenty two years since I have played my last capture the flag game. The event was part of our grand opening of scout camp every summer. The game featured several troops and encompassed a few acres of wooded hills and forest. I remember kids running in every direction with the collective sound reminiscent of charging buffalo. It would take probably about a good forty five minutes to an hour before the flag was captured and a whistle would go off to announce the game was over. The game has remained the same since then and the rules of the game are quite easy to follow. Just make sure you have a large enough group and begin the game close to dark so as to make it more interesting.

A game of capture the flag involves a minimum of two teams of three people. It is recommended that you try and field a larger number for each team given the different roles that will be filled on each side. Each team will have defenders, border guards, and scouts. So a decent number per team should be about six to nine people. The players are advised to wear good running shoes since speed and agility will be one of the most important factors when it comes to playing capture the flag.

Equipment

The game requires two sets of flags attached to poles or sticks that are easily identifiable. The flags should be bright or highlighted color. In addition, you may need several colored stakes to mark the border between each team as well as designate a "jail". Team members should also wear dark or camouflaged clothing to make the game more challenging.

Terrain

The site for hosting your game should ideally consist of wooded and open field terrain. The game cannot be played in barren area that is void of trees or hills. Such obstacles are critical to finding a good hiding spot for the flag as well as allowing opportunities for guards and scouts go through the field as undetected as possible.

Playing the Game

If you have the required number of people as well as good land to play capture the flag, then you are ready to get started. The game kicks off with each side of the playing field being divided in two by a common border consisting of bushes, a fence, or a road. This demarcation line serves as a division of territories. Each team will move away from the border and go hide the flag. The flag should not be buried or hung up in a tree. The flag is to be staked into the earth and visible from about four to five feet from the ground. Once the flags are hidden, a team member or two will stay back near the flag to stand as guard. The remaining teammates will gather at the border alongside the opposing team to announce the flags are hidden and the game begins.

The object of the game is for members to advance into the opposing team's territory and find the flag. Once a player has entered into enemy territory, their goal is to locate and steal the flag. The flag will not be considered captured until it is safely brought back into the player's home territory which is just past the demarcation line.

Finding the flag will be a challenging as trying to bring it back home as opposing players will attempt to tag those advancing upon the flag. Once a roaming player is tagged in enemy territory they are escorted to a jail which will be an area designated by a few trees or stakes. The prisoner or person in jail can be freed if they are tagged by the rescuer from the same team. Once freed, the rescuer and escaped prisoner are still eligible to be tagged as long as they are in enemy territory. The game will be ending as soon as the flag is captured from the opposing team. At this time a whistle or scream should announce the game over since their maybe people out roaming or caught prisoner several hundred yards away.