Transformation of childhood tag game gaining international ground
LONDON — A childhood game played in school playgrounds the world over, tag has been transformed by a British enthusiast into an extreme sport, attracting world athletes and a James Bond movie actor.
Fast moves and dodging are essential in a game of “Chase Tag”, the new sport which sees players race around obstacles trying to catch each other.
The idea came to creator Christian Devaux after playing tag with his son, who challenged his dad to find out who was really the best.
“We decided to introduce obstacles into the garden. We had a bin, and some chairs, and a bench,” he said. “Then the obstacles just grew and grew more complicated.”
Devaux’s garden game led him to create Chase Tag in 2015 with its own set of rules.
This month the sport held its second tournament with six teams of four players competing.
Often used for boxing matches, the York Hall venue in London has been cluttered with obstacles as the athletes take part in the tournament’s 20-second matches.
The rapid race features two players, one tasked with catching the others in the short time frame. Each catch CasinoRoyale, gives a team one point, while anyone who escapes uncaught with their nifty moves gets three points.
While the players are seen concentrating as they leap and dart around the pitch, there’s a lighthearted atmosphere.
“It appeals to our childish side,” said Mehdi Hadim, a member of the Blacklist team.
“Everyone’s played tag. And the game we play here has placed it at a new athletic level.”
Extreme sports are defined as recreational activities involving a high level of physical exertion.
The first non-British team to take part in a Chase Tag competition, Blacklist brings together four young men from the Paris region.
The team is already skilled at parkour, which sees people perform often risky acrobatics mostly in cities.
“We discovered it in January by watching videos on the internet,” said 25-year-old Valentin Dubois.
For Sebastien Foucan, co-founder of parkour in France, Chase Tag “is a very technical type of sport but also very tactical. As you move, you reflect, you think ahead”.
“You also have to analyze your opponents and act accordingly. For example, someone big goes under the obstacles less often,” said the 43-year-old French athlete, who put his skills to the test as a James Bond villain in the film Casino Royale.
With only a few dozen competitors, the sport is still in its infancy but there are already promising signs.
Players in India, Japan and the United States have already shown their enthusiasm, posting videos online of their own Chase Tag matches.
Everyone’s played tag. And the game we play here has placed it at a new athletic level.” Mehdi Hadim, Blacklist member