Bad Egg

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Bad Egg is a children's playground ball game played in Great Britain and other countries.

One player is chosen as the 'bad egg' and turns their back to the other players. 'Bad Egg' then asks the others to each name something from a particular group (for example, each player is to name a colour, or a sports team, etc). Once each player has answered, the 'Bad Egg' throws a tennis ball over their shoulder, and shouts out one of the answers that had been given by the other players. All players, except Bad Egg, run in different directions and the person whose answer was shouted out has to run after the ball, and calls 'stop' when they retrieve it.

On hearing 'stop' all players, including the one who went after the ball, remain stationary. All players, except the one with the ball, stand with their legs apart. The player with the ball then attempts to roll it under the legs of one of the other players. If successful, that player becomes 'Bad Egg'. If unsuccessful, the player who retrieved the ball becomes 'Bad Egg'.

As with most informal games, the detailed rules vary with Location. For example, in one variation the ball retriever may take an agreed number of steps towards their chosen target.