Running active games safely

It’s a good idea to plan your game area, which should be clearly defined for the players. You’ll need to consider how to overcome the key hazards in your planning and risk assessment. For example:

• Collisions with objects, such as furniture, walls or fences, windows and doors.
• Slips and trips on objects, such as loose matting. spillages, or natural objects (like roots).
• Young people getting lost, split up from their group or being alone in an emergency.
• Environmental hazards particular to the location, such as a pond, a low wall with a drop on the other side, a main road or a very hard floor.

Before you start, make sure the game area is safe and clear of hazards. For example, you might want to walk around the game area, ensuring it is accessible to all, picking up rubbish and removing obstacles, cleaning slippery / wet floors where possible, and where needed change the game area.

Look out for areas and objects to avoid, such as car parks, roads, dips in the ground, tree stumps, rabbit holes, and poisonous plants. Overhanging trees and branches can pose a specific risk to those participating in wide games these include sudden branch drop and participants getting twigs in their eyes. 

Think about the speed at which the game is likely to be played, is the playing area big enough, open enough and free of obstacles. Consider if speed needs to be restricted how this can be done and if any obstacles can be seen when the young people are moving at speed.

If it’s in the dark, will the obstacles be seen? How will you appropriately supervise the activity and young people? How will people see or be seen and get help if they need it?

When in total darkness consider how Adults will be able to locate young people and monitor their behaviour.

Setting boundaries with your group in the playing area and tell them where the no-go zones are. For example, inside no-go zones could include the kitchen, stacks of chairs or cupboards. Outside no-go zones could include any hazards you identified, such as roads, dips in the grass, steps, rocks or rivers. You could mark out the boundaries with cones.

A good idea indoors is to have a 'stop' line away from the walls and doors, obstacles or other hazards for running up and down games. This allows space to reach the wall or other obstacles at a lower speed, reducing the potential for a broken wrist or bumps.

Make sure your equipment is undamaged and suitable for use in the game.

Make sure everyone has appropriate footwear and clothing on to play the game, such as trainers and coats.

Think about where you will be playing the game and the individuals who will be playing it.

Will you need to take turns if you have a large group? Where will those who are waiting be and what will they be doing?

If more or less people turn up, how will you adapt the game?

Allow for a cool-down space as well as the game area.

The cool-down space is an area where participants can go to recover after activities. It's a place to catch your breath, calm down, and prevent overstimulation or exhaustion.

When considering the number of supervising Adults and their roles consider:

• Strategic Placement: Place adults at key locations around the site to monitor activities and provide assistance if needed.
• Clear Communication: Inform participants where adults will be stationed and what to do if anyone in their team needs help.
• Emergency Protocols: Make sure all supervisors know the procedures to follow in case of an emergency.
• Contingency: Consider having extra adults to ‘fill any gaps’ and deal with incidents without impacting ongoing activity supervision.

Always follow the Yellow Card.

If playing in a public space, make sure young people are paired up, so no young person is left alone. They should run, hide, play or move together. Remind everyone how they can use the space respectfully, without disturbing the wildlife or other people enjoying the site if you're in a public space.