How To Play... 'Ghost In the Graveyard'

This is a great game for practicing your fast starts and sprinting. The values of this game are creativity (in finding really good hiding places); work rate (to get the game restarted after every round); communication (to talk to the other players about where they are searching); and integrity (a wide-area game like this does allow for cheating and arguments over the rules, which spoil the game).

1. Find an area you can run safely in. It needs to have places you can hide. A schoolyard, playground or park is best.

2. Choose one player to be 'Ghost'. At NIS, we make the Ghost wear a red band so that everyone knows who she or he is.

3. Choose a 'Base' close to the middle of the playing area.

4. Everyone puts one hand on the base, puts their heads together, and closes their eyes. No looking allowed! (It really spoils the game.)

5. The referee counts to 20 or 30. The Ghost runs away and hides. Do your best to pick a really good hiding place.

6. After the count, the referee shouts 'Coming!' and all the players start looking for the Ghost.

7. When someone finds the Ghost, they shout 'Ghost in the Graveyard!' very loud. Everyone must take up the shout and repeat it. They must also run to try and get back to the base. The Ghost chases them.

8. If you get hand on the base, you are safe. If the Ghost tags one runner, the game stops. The tagged player becomes the Ghost. Count again and hide again.

When you know the game well, try these extensions:

- Play after dark. Use flashlights.

- Have more than one Ghost. When one is found, they all get up and join in the chase.

Try it next time you have friends over to play!