CHILDREN’S GAMES—SOCCER BALL TAG.

CHILDREN’S GAMES—SOCCER BALL TAG. When we were in fifth grade (about ten years old), the favorite game was one we invented: soccer ball tag. It was simple: one player was “it” and he had the soccer ball. Any body who was touched with the soccer ball also became “it.” Soon there were two teams: those who were “it” and those who were not “it.” The beauty of the game was that there was only one soccer ball, and players could go anywhere around the schoolyard. The tactic for the “its” was to try to capture somebody who was not “it” and to hold him (for some reason, the girls didn’t play) down until the soccer ball could be brought (from perhaps the other side of the school) to administer the touch. The others who were not “it” would try to free their teammate. Every recess there were fights all over the schoolyard. It was swell.