British Bulldogs (game)

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British Bulldogs (often used in the singular - British Bulldog - or simply Bulldog[s]) is a tag-based game, of which Red Rover is a descendant, played mainly in the United Kingdom, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries by children at school. The game is characterised by its high level of violence and physicality, leading it to be banned from many schools.

The play area is usually a large hall or large area of a playing field. There are no limits to the size of the pitch nor the number of players as long as there is enough space for the players to manoeuvre and enough players to have fun.

One or two players are selected as the Bulldogs, and they stand in the middle of the play area. All remaining players stand at one end of the area (home). The aim of the game is to run from one end of the field of play to the other, without being caught by the bulldogs. When a player is caught, they become a bulldog themselves. The winner is the last player to become a bulldog.

1 Rules
2 Background
3 Variations
4 See also
5 References

[edit] Rules

The playing area consists of a main playing area, with two 'home' areas on opposing sides (similar to the touchdown areas used in Rugby or American football). The home areas are the width of the playing area and are usually marked by a line or some other marker.

Each game of bulldogs consists of a sequence of rounds, and it is usual to play a number of games back-to-back with different bulldogs each time. The game is initiated with a single player (or sometimes two players) selection is determined by all players standing in a circle with their legs apart, a tennis ball is bounced in the center whoevers legs the ball goes through is "it". The objective for the non-bulldog players is to run from one home area to the other whilst avoiding the bulldogs in the middle. The round is usually initiated by the bulldogs chanting and goading. Usually, one of the bulldogs names a player to be the first to attempt the run from one end to another. The bulldogs then attempt to 'catch' the player. As players are caught and turned into Bulldogs if they are clung to for the duration of the Bulldog exclaiming, "British Bulldog; one, two, three!" — having not reached the other side. If the player successfully enters the opposing home area without being caught, they are considered 'safe' and may not be caught by the bulldogs. Players are also safe while they remain in their original home area, although there are sometimes rules for how long they may remain there, and they may not re-enter it once they have left. If they are caught, they become a bulldog themselves. Once the player has reached home or been caught, all the other non-bulldog players must immediately attempt to cross the playing area themselves, with the same rules applying (this period of the game sometimes being called a 'rush' or 'bullrush'). The bulldogs may catch any number of players in a single rush, all of whom become bulldogs. The round is then repeated in the opposite direction until all players have become bulldogs.

The aim of the game for the bulldogs is to catch all the players as quickly as possible, whilst the aim for the other players is to stay uncaught for as long as possible. The last player to be caught is usually considered the winner.

As is usual with children's games, the particular rules applied vary from location to location. In general, the most recent loser chooses which player must cross the field on their own. In other variations, there is no choosing of players and all players must attempt to cross simultaneously. The choosing of the first bulldog[s] is also subject to variation. Usually, either the first or the last players caught become the bulldogs for the next game. In some versions, only the first player caught in each round becomes a bulldog. Catching other players is simply for fun and has no strategic advantage.

The method by which a runner is caught varies according to local custom, but can involve physically tackling the runner to the ground. This form is sometimes known as "Agro Bulldog". Another variation is lifting the runner off the ground. Due to the violent nature of such tackles, games with adult supervision usually use simple tagging (touching) to catch players. The physicality of the game caused it to gain some notoriety and to be banned in a number of school playgrounds.^[1]^[2]^[3]

[edit] Background

The game is normally played by children and offers an interesting means of letting off energy and involves rugged physical contact. It appeals to competitive spirits but at the same time produces ad-hoc team activity with all the "losers" endeavouring to bring the "non-losers" to the ground. Parents tend to deplore the game since it results in muddied and even torn clothes, bruises, bloody noses, knees and elbows and sometimes tears (when played on tarmac) but both boys and girls participate in it.

As a game of physical contact that results in a mêlée of people attempting to drag others down to the ground, Bullrush bears some similarity to a rugby scrum which may explain the presence of the game amongst children in a nation beloved of the sport of rugby.

[edit] Variations

A variation of the standard Bullrush game is Tag Bullrush, sometimes known as "French Bulldog". This plays the same as the regular version, but you only need to be tagged by someone to lose, as opposed to tackled. This is a much safer version and is less likely to result in injury.

Lions and Deers is also a variation with the lions catching the deers. The same rules apply as with British Bulldog - the game was re-created/re-named due to the banning of British Bulldog in schools. The originating place for Lions and Deers was Chichester, England.

Sharks and Minnows is a common name for a version played in swimming pools and other bodies of water.

Octopus is a common name for the tag variation where all but the original "non-loser" must chose a pivot foot which cannot be moved for the remainder of the game. They may pivot around their chosen foot so as to attempt to tag others attempting to pass by. This variant is generally ineffective in wide, open areas and so is more commonly played in gyms.

Pirates variant 'field' is indoors, usually a gym, but includes ropes, bars, benches etc, has no 'safe' area. Usually starts with one or two person(s) dedicated as a pirate(s). Those caught sit out of game until all are tagged.

Dragout is another variation, in which the bulldog must drag players out of the playing area for them to be considered caught.

Irish In this game the non-bulldogs are not only taken down but then picked up and thrown. This is probably the most dangerous and should not be attempted by small children. It is also traditional in some variants for the previous Bulldog who has been caught to be allowed to re-enter the fray if in the subsequent round,there is no runners caught.

Pump The game of British Bulldog is played in South Eastern Utah with the name of pump.

American Eagle is another variation, using the same rules as British Bulldog and is played in the United States. The game starts with the "Eagles" calling out "American Eagle, 1,2,3!" For a player to become an "Eagle," they must be dragged or thrown to the ground. The last player caught is the lone "Eagle" at the beginning of the next game.

Runacross where a basketball/netball course consisting of two large semi-circles at each end of the pitch noted as "bases", and a central circle being a "safe zone". Almost exactly like British Bulldog, except much less violent.

Chainy is a variation where the bulldogs must join hands, forming a chain, and chase the remaining players as a single unit. It is usually played in a slightly smaller area than the standard form.