Section 3: Playing Area
Outdoor Spaces
Tag is most commonly played outdoors. Ideal outdoor playing areas include:
- Grass fields: School playgrounds, parks, backyards, and sports fields provide soft, open terrain
- Paved areas: Blacktop playgrounds, driveways, cul-de-sacs, and basketball courts offer firm, flat surfaces
- Beaches: Sand provides a soft landing surface, though running speed is reduced
- Wooded areas: Light forest or tree-dotted parks add obstacles and hiding spots for more dynamic gameplay
Indoor Spaces
Tag can be adapted for indoor play in spaces such as:
- Gymnasiums: The most common indoor tag venue, with clear boundaries and flat floors
- Large rooms or halls: Community centers, church halls, and cafeterias can be used when furniture is cleared
- Hallways and multi-room areas: For variants like Hide-and-Seek Tag, indoor spaces with multiple rooms add complexity
Defining Boundaries
Before play begins, all players must agree on the boundaries of the playing area. Clear boundaries are essential to prevent disputes and ensure safety.
- Size: The play area should be large enough for players to run freely but small enough that IT has a reasonable chance of catching someone. A good guideline is approximately 30 by 30 feet (9 by 9 meters) for 5 to 8 players, scaling up with more participants.
- Shape: Rectangular or square boundaries are easiest to manage, but any enclosed shape works
- Visibility: All boundaries should be clearly visible or understood by every player
- Hazard buffer: Boundaries should be set at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from walls, fences, roads, water, steep drops, or other hazards
Safe Zones and Bases
- Some variants designate one or more "safe zones" or "bases" where players cannot be tagged
- Bases may be physical objects (a tree, a bench, a mat, a painted circle) or designated areas
- Players occupying a base are immune from tagging but typically cannot remain on base indefinitely
- Common time limits for base occupancy: 10 seconds, or a count to 10 by IT
- Only one player may occupy a base at a time in most rule sets; if a second player arrives, the first must leave
Obstacle and Terrain Considerations
- Remove or clearly mark any tripping hazards (rocks, roots, holes, sprinkler heads) within the play area
- If playing near playground equipment, establish whether climbing on equipment is allowed or if the play area is ground-level only
- Wet or muddy areas should be avoided or excluded from the play boundaries
- If the play area includes slopes or hills, ensure they are not steep enough to cause falls at running speed