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Play Stuck in the Mud

An active team game where runners dodge taggers and free teammates to avoid getting stuck in the mud.

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You’ll need

  • Rugby balls
  • Cones (or any other object to mark out the playing area)

Before you begin 

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There's also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.   
  • Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely. 
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help. 

Let the experts at your local rugby club run this session for you!

To register interest in your Scout Group being twinned with a local rugby club enter your details using this form.

Planning and setting up this activity

  • Choose a spacious, accessible area and mark out a playing area with cones or other objects.
  • Check the terrain to make sure it's free of hazards, such steps or rabbit holes. Use cones or tape to mark or block dangers.
  • Check the weather forecast and sunset time to make sure there’ll be sufficient light throughout.
  • Ask everyone to tie long hair back, and remove any jewellery, watches and so on before playing.
  • Remind everyone to bring a drink and wear long sleeves, long trousers and trainers.
  • Read our guidance on running wide games and active games safely.

Running the activity 

  1. Gather everyone together and explain that you’ll be playing Stuck in the Mud.   
  2. The aim of the game is for the Runners to avoid being tagged and stuck in the mud by the Taggers. The Taggers win if they manage to get all the Runners stuck before the time runs out.
  3. Gather everyone around and choose one or two players to be the Taggers. The rest will be Runners. You can rotate who gets to be the Taggers each round.
  4. To start, the Taggers begin in the middle of the space, and the Runners spread out around them. On your signal, the game begins.
  5. Taggers try to tag Runners using both hands below the armpit. If a Runner is tagged, they must stand still with feet planted and arms outstretched in front (as if holding a ball). They are now ‘stuck in the mud’.
  6. To free a stuck Runner, two free Runners must work together. One places a hand on each of the stuck Runner’s shoulders while they clap their free hands together at the same time. Once freed, the Runner can move again.
  7. Play continues until all Runners are stuck or until the time limit is reached. If all Runners are stuck, the Taggers win. If time runs out and at least one Runner is still free, the Runners win.
  8. Make sure Taggers tag gently and only below shoulder height. Runners should move safely and avoid bumping into others.
  9. When you’re ready to play, run a quick warm-up to make sure everyone is ready, then get playing. 
  10. At the end, make sure to run a quick cool down to allow everyone to stretch. 

Reflection

This activity was all about movement, teamwork and quick thinking. How did you find the game? What did you enjoy and what went well? Was it like any other games you’ve played before? What was challenging? You may have had to dodge, run quickly or work out how to avoid being tagged—what was that like? 

This game was all about staying active and supporting others, so you had to work as a team. How did you and your teammates help each other? Did you come up with any strategies for freeing stuck players or staying safe from the Taggers? How did you communicate and move together? Is there anything you could have done differently or better? 

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Active games

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

Contact games and activities

Make sure everyone understands what contact is acceptable, and monitor contact throughout the activity.

Outdoor activities

You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.

  • To make Stuck in the Mud easier, reduce the number of Taggers to give Runners a better chance of staying free. Allow one teammate to free a stuck Runner, or simplify tagging by permitting one-handed tags. You could also slow the pace by having Runners walk instead of run, making the game less intense and more accessible.
  • To make it harder, you could increase the number of Taggers to make it tougher for Runners to stay free. Shorten the time limit to add pressure, or introduce zones where Runners can’t be freed to encourage strategic movement. Adjust the playing area, smaller for more challenge or larger for more space, and consider adding a safe zone where Runners can briefly rest before rejoining the game.

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Scouts Physical Recreation Activity Badge
Cubs Teamwork Challenge Award

If you enjoyed this activity, try some of our other activities sponsored by the RFU.