Nerf Capture the Flag

Overview:
Two or more teams defend their flags within defined borders on campus, while trying to capture the other teams’ flag.

Required Equipment:
One bright green bandanna

Optional Equipment:
Nerf-style dart guns
Clean, balled-up socks

Teams:
Each game will have two teams. Players will be informed of their team assignment when they arrive on the field of play. Attempts will be made for teams to be equal, but no one will be excluded from play in the name of team balance.

Game Boundaries:
Game boundaries will be established by the Administrator before play begins. Boundaries will be marked on maps with black lines and may be traced on the field with tape or flour, or clearly defined verbally by the Administrator. Any player who leaves the boundaries of the playing field is immediately treated as tagged.

Tagging:
Players are tagged when they are: 1) shot with a dart gun, 2) hit with a balled up sock, or 3) tagged by hand. If a player is shot in the process of a hand tag, both players are considered out.

Tagged players are out of the game, and must quickly go to their capture or re-spawn points, or the neutral zone. In transit, they must hold their hands above their head to signify that they are out. Stunned players may not interfere with the game, including acting as shields.

Unlike traditional CtF, a player may be tagged on any part of the playing field – even their own base.

Neutral Zone:
At the beginning of every game, a neutral zone will be designated for administrative purposes. In this zone, waivers will be signed and team assignments handed out, along with any special rules for the game. Players may not tag or be tagged within the neutral zone (this includes tagging players standing outside the neutral zone).

Depending on the size of the game, the neutral zone may persist to hold eliminated players or handle rules disputes.

Flags & Bases:
Flags for all games will be provided at the start of the game, and will include a ~5 foot flagpole. Flags may not be removed from the flagpole at any point during the game. Each team’s flag must either be within or in transit to their base so long as it is within their control.

The player carrying the flag may not tag any other player, and the flag may not be passed between players. If the player carrying the flag is tagged, they must immediately drop it. Any player from any team may then pick up the flag.

Base locations will be established and marked off by the Administrator before play begins. Players guarding the base may not enter its perimeter, except to chase another player. Players may not use their bodies to block attempts to grab the flag, unless attempting to make a tag.

Winning the Game:
A team wins the game when they have both their flag and their opponent’s flag in their base.

Game Types:
Capture – A tagged player is captured and goes to the other team’s jail. Captured players can be freed by an uncaptured teammate tagging (not shooting) them while in the boundaries of the jail. Freed players must then return to their team's territory before re-entering play. In this game type, the jail for each team will be established and marked off by the Administrator before play begins.
Respawn – A tagged player can be revived by entering their team’s respawn zone. In this game type, the respawn zone for each team will be established and marked off by the Administrator before play begins.
Elimination – Tagged players are out for the remainder of the match, and must return to the Neutral Zone established at the beginning of the game.

Game Variants:
Three Team CtF –Three teams will be split up around the playing area, rather than two. Only one opponent’s flag must be captured to win.
Assault The Flag – Teams take turns attacking or defending a single flag. Once the attacking team successfully captures the flag, or a predetermined time limit is reached, the sides switch, and the team who had been defending now tries to complete the same objective. Assault is usually played with Respawn or Elimination rules.
Checkpoint CtF – Teams must capture a series of checkpoints between their base and the enemy base by bringing a designated flag bearer to each checkpoint. The first team to bring their flag to the other team’s base wins. To capture a checkpoint, each team must tag the enemy team’s flag bearer and move their flag into the checkpoint boundaries. Tagged flag bearers must fall back to the previous checkpoint gained. If played with Capture or Respawn rules, the jail or respawn points of each team advance or retreat as checkpoints are gained or lost.
Multi-Flag CtF – Each team has more than one flag and an equal number of bases. A team must have all of their own flags and the opposing team’s flags to win. Each team may only have one of their own flags at each of their bases.
Multi-Base CtF – Each team has a single flag, with multiple bases to return it to after being captured. Multi-Base CtF is usually played with Respawn rules, with each empty base acting as a respawn point. With Capture rules, the unused bases act as jails. Captured players must move to an unused base if the flag is brought to them, and may not be freed until they reach the new base.

Enforcing the Rules:
As with all other UGL events, if you encounter a situation in which the rules are called into question, you have two options: work it out amongst yourselves, or call a moderator. If a moderator is called, their decision is final.