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Traditional

Agawan Base

Also called Base stealing, Prisoner's base, Agawang base

Two teams each guard a base and try to touch the other team's base, tagging opponents who left their base earlier than they did.

people
8–30
time
20 min
energy
High
materials
Household items
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need2
How to play4

Before you start

Pick two bases at opposite ends of a field, 20–30 m apart. Mark a small jail area beside each base. Split into two equal teams wearing different colors.

  1. 1Players leave their own base to chase or raid. Whoever left their base most recently is the 'fresher' player and can tag any opponent who left before them; touching your own base again refreshes you.
  2. 2A tagged player goes to the other team's jail and waits there.
  3. 3A teammate who reaches the jail and touches a prisoner without being tagged frees that prisoner (one per rescue); both walk back to their base.
  4. 4A team wins by touching the other team's base marker, or by jailing every opponent.
What to say3
  1. 1“Blue base here, Red base there — protect it with your lives!”
  2. 2“Remember: whoever left base LAST can tag you. Go home and touch base to power up!”
  3. 3“Base touched! Team Red wins the round!”
Host tips3
  • The 'who left base last' rule is what makes the game, and also what causes every argument. Assign one referee per half whose call is final, and explain it with a live demo before starting.
  • Teams often turtle around their own base and nothing happens. Set a 5-minute round timer — if no base is taken, the team with fewer players in jail wins.
  • Two-finger tags only, no grabbing shirts. Say it before round one; agawan base on grass turns into a wrestling match fast.
Variants2

  • Simple tag

    Skip the 'who left last' rule: any player on the enemy half can be tagged. Easier to explain to large mixed groups.

  • Steal the slipper

    Each base is a slipper or flag that must be carried back to your own base, not just touched.

Safety4
  • Play on grass or sand; collisions and falls at full speed are common.
  • Ban shirt-grabbing and tackling — tags are a light touch only.
  • Check the field for holes, rocks and sprinkler heads before starting.
  • Not for seniors or pregnant guests as players — make them referees or jailers.
Good for

Occasions

SchoolTeam buildingFiestaRetreatReunion

Venues

Outdoor
If this one dies early2