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Description

Get moving and work together to escape dragons in this fun wide game.

Resources

25 minutes
Rope
Whistles
Lengths of wool or ribbon around 40cm each

The desert island dash court PDF

Instructions

Before you begin
- Find a large outdoor play area and securely tie a rope between two trees. Warn everyone about the rope so they don’t run into it.
- A suitable running distance away from the rope, set up a base with your lengths of coloured wool or ribbons (‘flares’) – this is the desert island. You could also have several bases or islands dotted around the area.
- Explain the game to the group. The rope is protected by fierce Komodo dragons and the aim of the game is to dodge past them and tie a ‘flare’ to the rope, which signals for help. Komodo dragons are huge, dangerous lizards that live on three islands in Indonesia and work as a team to capture their prey.


Play the game
1. Ask for three or four volunteers to be Komodo dragons. Their job is to guard the rope. The rest of the group are runners.

2. When the person leading the game blows the whistle, the runners dash forward with their ‘flares’ to try and tie them onto the rope that’s protected by the dragons.

The runners can try to work as a team or pairs to distract the dragons while one ties their flare onto the rope. The dragons can also work as a team or in pairs; they could corner runners or protect the rope while others chase runners. ‘Flares’ must be tied in an overhand knot not draped over the rope. If a dragon catches a runner by touching them, the runner returns back to base and tries again.

3. Swap dragons and runners at regular intervals. Players will work out very quickly that it’s better to work together to dodge, protect, distract and attack.


Reflection
- This activity gets everyone in the group moving over a wide area, and also builds their teamwork skills.
- When everyone is sat having a drink and rest afterwards, they should think about the game they just played. Chat about the brilliant techniques people used, such as zigzagging to avoid the dragons and distracting runners tying their ‘flares’. Everyone should think about how the game wasn’t just about being fast but about patience and good team work; waiting, watching and helping teammates. Komodo dragons work in teams – and teamwork is always a good idea when tackling a problem or activity.


Safety - All activities must be safely managed. Do a risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Always get approval for the activity and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
- Outdoor activities: You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.
- Active games: The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed.
- Contact games and activities: Make sure everyone understands what contact is acceptable, and monitor contact throughout the activity.


Change the level of challenge
Spread the teams over a wider area, or perhaps a wooded area where runners can use trees as camouflage. Or set up two ropes and more islands.

Tags

• knots
• wide game

Badge Links

• Outdoors - Wide game
• Outdoors - Wide game
• Pioneer - Game
• Teamwork - Team game
• Teamwork - Team game