Here we go. Fresher consists of two teams playing on a rectangular field of any appropriate size--football field is too big but the right shape. Playing cross ways on a football field is ideal. It is essentially a game of tag and capture and here's how it goes.

Let's say we have Team A with Steph, Sarah and Luke playing against Team B with Micah, Jacob, and Gina. Both teams begin the game standing on their own end line. The game could progress something like this:

Micah leaves his end and

Luke decides to give chase and leaves his end to chase Micah. Luke can chase Micah because he is "fresher" having stood on his end while Micah left his seconds earlier.

Luke chases Micah back toward his goal, and when he gets close to that goal, Jacob leaves the line and goes after Luke because he, Jacob, is "fresher" than Luke.

Luke sees Jacob coming and forgets Micah. In order to save his own skin, Luke runs back toward his own goal hoping that Steph and Sarah will help him out by running after Jacob since they are both "fresher."

Back and forth, back and forth, kids chase each other hoping to get close enough to tag an opponent before they retreat to their own goal line. Let's say Micah is successful in sneaking up on Sarah and tags her. He gets "free backs" as he takes his prisoner to his goal line and has her stretch out on the ground, feet on the line and hands extended toward her teammates in hopes that they may come and rescue her.

She remains prisoner until a teammate can sneak in untouched and tag her allowing them both "free backs" or until her whole team is caught which results in a victory for Team B and the beginning of a new game.

If a teammate like Stef tries to free Sarah but is caught, Stef must lay out with her feet on the opponents goal line extending her hands to Sarah's feet . This allows Sarah to move one body length closer to her side, makng it easier for Luke to set her free if he gets a chance. Only one person can be freed at a time.

It is obvious why honesty plays such an important role in this game. Kids must be honest about who is "fresher," especially if large groups are playing and keeping track of everyone becomes impossible for any one person.

The game is a great conditioner, however, especially for the aggressive player who loves to take chances. It involves much strategy and timing and kids get better at it the more they play. Dishonest kids ruin the game, but honest kids can have a great time with it and will play for hours if you let them.