Stop Stop!

Play Area: Schoolyard or open space

Requirements: None

Game Duration: Can be extended as long as desired.

The Game

The Stop Stop! Ball game is played with four or more players. The players form a circle and place the ball in the center. A tagger is chosen by counting off. As the tagger runs toward the center, the other players scatter away from the circle. The moment the tagger picks up the ball, they shout “Stop!” loudly, and all players must freeze in place. Anyone who keeps moving after “Stop!” is called out becomes the new tagger for breaking the rule.

The tagger tries to hit one of the frozen players with the ball; if they succeed, the hit player becomes the new tagger. If the throw misses and the ball is left free, everyone runs again until the tagger retrieves the ball and returns to the center. The game continues in this flow: with each successful hit, the tagger changes; with any movement after “Stop!” the mover becomes the tagger; and when the throw misses, the same tagger stays on.