SixPix

For a few months, I was a a teacher in an afterschool program. I did Math, Art, whatever was needed. I wasn't that great at it because I had no training whatsoever. When I was the P. E. dude, I invented a game. I just realized memory of the mechanics of the game were fading, so I'd better write it down.

It would have been more interesting to write about the evolution of the game, but it's been too long. Suffice it to say that I started with one set of rules and it continued to change as I saw it played out. The kids were my test subjects and every time I saw an unbalanced ability, I changed the rules. I was surprised the kids could keep up with it. They wouldn't/couldn't do their first grade math, but they could track the changes of a rather complicated game.

In the end, I think this is how it went. I had 6 colored circles made from poster board. The colors didn't matter. At the beginning of the game, all participants were lined up along a short side of the rectangular gym. I'd toss the circles, usually pseudo-blindfolded (by closing my eyes) out into the gym, at which point the participants were allowed to leave the wall and chase after the 6 circles. After all circles were retrieved, the game turned into tag.

Exponential tag, I might add. The 6 with the circles were the taggers and everyone they tagged must sit down right where they were tagged and, without scooting, use their armspan to tag other children running around. Thus, whoever remained had to deal with both moving and static enemies. Eventually, there are only six taggers and one runner left. The one runner is the winner, and gets to toss the circles for the next game.

They really loved this game. Mom took my position when I left and received many requests for the game. It had a surprisingly low injury rate, too. It kept them busy and involved. I don't recall anyone sitting out during the game. Why such a success? For one thing, it was custom made for them. When I saw that something didn't work for them, I changed it slightly. The end result was a balanced game of racing, tagging and running, and strategy in avoiding enemies. It's the Princess Bride of games, except without the kissing. I'm very proud of it.

Thus, I commit it to the Internet. May public domain serve SixPix well. Preserve it where my memory does not. Be kind to it.