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Run Through the Catchers

Runners race across a room sectioned into stages by cones, trying to reach the far end before catchers tag them all — get caught and you jog back to the start to try again. It works because nobody's ever really out: every runner keeps getting another shot, so the whole room stays in motion until the last one crosses the line.

15–30 min8–12 peopleEasyCones or markersIn personClassroom ✓
By Jon Zajac · Founder & Chief Icebreaker · Last updated February 19, 2024

What is Run Through the Catchers?

Run Through the Catchers splits a group into two teams — runners and catchers — in a room or field sectioned into stages with cones. Runners try to reach the far end without being tagged; catchers try to stop them before they get there. Runners can only move forward, and a tag sends them back to the start to try again. The round ends once every runner has crossed the line untagged, and you can add a timer to turn it into a race between teams.

It works because getting tagged doesn't end your turn — it just costs you the ground you'd covered. Runners keep coming back at the line, so catchers have to keep reading the whole field instead of coasting once one person's out, and runners have to work together, drawing catchers toward each other to open a lane for the rest of the team.

It's built for a group that can actually run: open floor or a field, players aged 6 and up, and everyone able to sprint and dodge without a mobility accommodation you haven't planned for. Skip it, or set up a modification first, if your space is tight or your group includes players who can't run the lines as drawn. For a tighter space or a slower group, Catch Ones at the Back keeps the tag-game energy without the sprint.

The rules

  1. Split into two teams at random — runners and catchers.
  2. Cones or markers section the play area into stages.
  3. Runners try to cross the room without being tagged by a catcher.
  4. Runners can only move forward — no retreating.
  5. A tagged runner returns to the start and tries again.
  6. The round ends when every runner reaches the finish line untagged.

Before you start

  • Group size: 8–12 players, split into runners and catchers. The split is random on purpose — it's what turns a running drill into an icebreaker.
  • Grab cones or markers — that's the only gear. Line them up on either side of the room to mark the stage lines runners have to cross.
  • Pick a room or field with open floor. You need enough clear space for runners to sprint the full length without dodging furniture.
  • Works from age 6 up. The rules are simple enough for kids to pick up fast, and flexible enough to hold an adult group's attention too.
  • Decide upfront whether you're timing it. A stopwatch turns the round into a race between teams; skip it and it's just the game.

How to run it

  1. Split into teams 1–2 min

    Divide the group at random into runners and catchers — the random draw is what gets people working with people they don't already know.

  2. Section the room 2–3 min

    Set cones or markers on either side of the room to create the stage lines runners will cross.

  3. Position the catchers 1 min

    Catchers take their spot along the lines; runners line up at the start, ready to move.

  4. Explain the rules 1–2 min

    Say it in one pass — forward only, a tag sends you back to the start, and the round ends when every runner's crossed untagged.

  5. Add a time element 10–20 min · optional

    Start a clock and declare the fastest team the winner. It's the same game with a scoreboard attached.

← forward only. no retreating, no do-overs.

Facilitator tips

Set the modification before someone needs itDecide in advance how a runner with a mobility difference still gets a fair shot — a wider lane, a head start, or a buddy who runs alongside. Sort it out before the first sprint, not mid-round.
Frame it as teamwork, not eliminationSay upfront that runners win by getting everyone across, not by being the last one standing. It keeps the tone collaborative instead of competitive.
Walk the lines before the first sprintPoint out exactly where each stage line sits and which direction counts as forward. A quick walkthrough heads off arguments about who crossed where.

Why it works

No one's out for goodA tag sends a runner back to the start, not out of the game — so nobody spends the round standing on the sideline waiting for a turn that isn't coming.
Forces read-and-react, both waysCatchers watch for feints, runners watch for openings — the stage lines mean everyone commits to a direction, then adjusts mid-run when the room shifts.
Random teams are the whole pointRunners and catchers are assigned at random, so the person you're working with — or sprinting past — is whoever the draw gave you, not whoever you already know.
HELLO, MY NAME ISJon

"I like this one because there's no bench — everyone's either running, catching, or about to be. It takes nothing but a handful of cones, so it works when I've got a few minutes' notice and a room with some open floor."

Jon Zajac · Founder & Chief Icebreaker

Reflection questions

For teams that want the debrief — pick a few of these to turn the sprint into an actual conversation.

  1. What did you enjoy most about playing Run Through the Catchers?A warm opener — gets people naming the parts they'd want to run again.
  2. How did working as a team impact your success in the game?Points straight at the coordination the runners needed to get everyone across.
  3. Did you feel nervous or anxious at any point during the game? If so, how did you handle those feelings?Opens space to talk about nerves without singling anyone out.
  4. What communication strategies did you use while playing with your team?Surfaces the signals and calls that actually worked between runners.
  5. Did you discover any strengths or weaknesses while playing the game? How can you apply what you learned to other situations?Bridges the game back to something people can use elsewhere.
  6. How did you feel when you were caught by the catchers or when you caught a runner?A quick check on how being tagged landed — useful for reading the room's competitive temperature.
  7. What would you do differently next time you play Run Through the Catchers?Gets people thinking like a facilitator, not just a player, for next time.

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Jon Zajac

Founder & Chief Icebreaker

I started IcebreakerSpot because I believe strong connections are the foundation of successful teams. This site exists to make it easy to find and share the icebreakers and team-building activities that build trust, spark collaboration, and help groups do great things together.

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