GAMES - BULL DOGBull dog requires a fairly large group of paddlers, ideally 10 or more. It’s a great game for developing good boat control (forward paddling, backward paddling and turning) it’s also a great confidence booster! It’s also a very good game to illustrate the differences in boat design (long ones go faster but turn slower, short ones are slow but are more manoeuvrable). The game can be played by novice and advanced paddlers alike. It’s normally advantageous to have some slightly more skilled paddlers mixed in! I normally play this game at the end of a paddling session as total anarchy normally develops by the end, with most people taking a dip (summer months). HOW TO PLAYBull dog requires a ‘playing field’ ideally a minimum of 20 by 50 metres. The ends of the ‘playing field’ are designated home (safe zone). The area between is the game zone. It is best to use some feature to mark out the game zone and especially the safe zones (I often play between bridge piers). Swimming pools are generally a little too small to play this game (unless you’re blessed with an Olympic sized pool!). The aim of the game is to paddle across the game zone (when instructed to) to the opposite safe zone without being caught. If you are caught whilst traversing the game zone you join the pack (people that are ‘on it!’) and attempt to catch others in the game zone that have not yet been caught. HOW IT WORKSOne person, normally the strongest paddler (the instructor) is nominated at the start as the Bull Dog and paddles to the centre of the game zone. The rest of the group are located at one end in one of the safe zones where they wait. The game then runs through a series of rounds, each initiated by the Bull Dog. At the start of a round the Bull Dog and other persons that are on it with him/her paddle to the centre of the game zone. Remaining paddlers should be together in one of the safe zones. The Bull Dog then has the option to select a single paddler from the safe zone or shout “Bull Dog”. If the instructor (Bull Dog) calls an individual, that individual must attempt to traverse the game zone and get to the opposite safe zone without being caught. If the individual is able to get to the opposite safe zone without being caught the rest of the group must immediately attempt to traverse the game zone without being caught. If an individual is caught, they join the Bull Dog and the round completes. If the instructor (Bull Dog) calls ‘Bull Dog’ the entire group in the safe zone must attempt to traverse the game zone and get to the opposite safe zone without being caught. Paddlers caught immediately join the Bull Dog and attempt to catch other paddlers not yet caught. A round finishes when all paddlers have either made it to the safe zone or have been caught. The game ends when there are no paddlers left to catch. The winner is the paddler that survived the most rounds or was the last one to be caught. Normally, the winner becomes the Bull Dog in the next game! BEING CAUGHTThe rules for being caught can vary, but here are a few to consider (you must determine the pros and cons of each):
SAFETYThis game can become a little fast and furious, especially if advanced paddlers are playing. It’s a good idea to wear helmets (if possible, with face guards). A capsize can sometimes occur resulting in a swim. When persons are swimming it’s a good idea to pause the game, as a bow of a boat in the face of a swimmer isn’t a nice sight! Choose a sensible venue, not near large weirs (that could be interesting), away from over hanging trees and away from other river traffic and users. Posted 6 Jan 2005 |