Lovely Play & Recreation

[Heated] Summary of modified rules for the tail-grab game

Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Many of you probably played “tail tag” when you were little, right?

It’s that game where you tuck a towel or a strip of newspaper into the back of your pants and run around!

It’s a classic, beloved recreation enjoyed across generations.

Here, we’ve put together some fun variations on the rules of tail tag.

Even small tweaks to the rules or how you play can make it feel fresh, so kids won’t get bored and will keep having fun.

Use this article as a guide and try it during exercise time at preschools, kindergartens, or elementary schools.

[Heated] Tail-Tag Game: Summary of Variant Rules (21–30)

Area-Limited Tail Tag

Tail tag game

Area-Limited Tail Tag

You might want to play tail tag but not have enough space.

In that case, the perfect option is area-limited tail tag.

The rules are almost the same as regular tail tag; the only difference is that the play area is restricted.

We recommend setting up a square area about 3 meters by 3 meters.

When the space is smaller, players naturally end up closer to each other, which makes the game more exciting.

For the boundary lines, we recommend marking them with plastic flagging tape (suzuran tape).

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Dribble Tail Tag

Tail-tag dribble

Dribble Tail Tag

If you want a recreation that lets you enjoy both tail tag and ball games at the same time, try Dribble Tail Tag.

Using a basketball court or gym, players dribble a small ball while playing tail tag.

The key is to stay aware of both actions at once, and it’s great to include in PE as a sport-like activity.

Be careful—your tail might get taken right at the moment you “accidentally drop the ball,” so keep your focus on dribbling too.

It’s a recreation that can deliver heated matches while improving athletic ability.

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In conclusion

One of the appeals of tail tag is that its basic form is simple, making it easy to customize! Many of you may have thought, “There are more variations than I expected.” While using the ideas we introduced as a reference, we also recommend adding your own unique rules.