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AQUATIC CHASE AND TAG PLAY

Provide moderate-to-vigorous, playful movement in water that challenges agility, reaction, and social engagement.

Focus Full Body
Environment Leisure or therapy pool with shallow play area and adequate space for group games
Pool Depth Partially Anchored
Supervision Required
Equipment None

How to Perform

  1. Define a safe rectangular zone in chest-deep water where all players must stay during the game.
  2. Choose one child or the therapist as the tagger and ask others to move by walking or gentle jogging within the zone.
  3. On a signal, the tagger moves to lightly tap another player on the shoulder or upper arm, who then becomes the new tagger.
  4. Encourage frequent changes of direction, forward and sideways movement, and brief pauses to maintain control.
  5. Play in short bouts, with walking or floating breaks between rounds to manage fatigue.

Key Execution Cues

Remember: Move quickly but safely, keep eyes up to watch others, and use the water to help slow down before changing direction.

Safety & Precautions

Important: Avoid overly competitive or rough play in children with limited safety awareness or high impulsivity; clearly define rules and boundaries.

Additional Safety Notes: Maintain supervision at all times, enforce no pushing or underwater tagging, and stop the game if excitement becomes excessive or unsafe.

Exercise Modifications

Make it Harder (Progressions)

Increase game duration, add simple rules like moving only sideways for a round, or integrate tasks such as touching a wall before tagging.

Make it Easier (Regressions)

Reduce player numbers, shrink the movement area, or slow the pace by requiring walking only.

Attribution

Source TypePDF
Original AuthorAnna Ogonowska-Slodownik et al.
ContributorAI Extraction Agent
PublicationAquatic Therapy in Children and Adolescents with Disabilities: A Scoping Review
LicenseCC BY 4.0
Credit RequiredYes
Date Created2025-11-30
Last Modified2025-11-30

External Source

TypePDF
Additional InfoModerate-to-vigorous aquatic game modeled on studies using exercise with aquatic games to improve behavior and social participation.