Section 5: Rules of Play
The following rules describe the standard flow of a game of Duck Duck Goose.
Setup
- All players except one sit in a circle on the ground or chairs. They should hold hands to form a continuous chain.
- The remaining player stands outside the circle, facing them. This is the Chaser.
The Chase
The Chaser begins by walking around the outside of the circle. The seated players remain quiet and still.
Tapping Mechanics
- The Chaser taps a player on the head and says "Duck."
- The Chaser taps a second player on the head and says "Duck."
- The Chaser taps a third player on the head and says "Goose."
The Reaction
This is the most critical part of the game:
- If you are a "Duck": You must stay seated and hold your hands. If you stand up, you are out.
- If you are a "Goose": You must immediately stand up and chase the Chaser around the circle.
Catch and Switch
If a Goose catches the Chaser before they complete their lap, the roles switch. The Goose becomes the new Chaser, and the old Chaser sits down as a Duck.
Ending the Round
The game continues until every player in the circle has been tagged as a Goose. At this point, all players stand up and choose who will be the Chaser for the next round. The game then restarts with a new configuration.