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Capture the Flag turns archery tag into a team plan. You need defenders on your flag, archers laying down cover fire and a runner brave enough to sprint for the other team’s flag.

Because players respawn at their base instead of sitting out, everyone stays in the game, which makes it one of the best modes for bigger groups and birthday parties.

At a glance
Players 8 to 24, in two even teams
Ages 9 and up, supervised
Field Birthday-party size or full field
Round length 8 to 12 minutes, or first to three captures
Gear The core kit plus two flags and cones

Setting up the field

Plant a flag at the back of each base, clearly visible from the centre line. Mark each base with cones. Bunkers should give the attackers somewhere to stop on the way in, so put at least one piece of cover on each flank.

Setup: a flag in each base

Setup: a flag in each baseRED BASEBLUE BASE12341234Red playerBlue playerBunkerFlag
Each team's flag stands at the back of its base. Defend yours, and bring theirs home across the centre line to score.

How to play

1. Plan your roles

Before the whistle, pick defenders, cover archers and one or two runners.

2. Hits send you to respawn

If you are hit, walk back to your own base, touch the back line and rejoin.

3. Carry the flag home

A runner who reaches the other flag picks it up and carries it back across the centre line to score.

4. Hit the carrier, drop the flag

If the carrier is hit, the flag drops where they stood. Either team’s player can then pick it up.

The run: cover fire and a runner

The run: cover fire and a runnerRED BASEBLUE BASE12123Runner takes the flankRed playerBlue playerFoam-arrow shotRed movesFlag
Red 1 and Red 2 pin the blue defenders with shots from cover while Red 3 runs the flank to the blue flag.

Hit while carrying: drop the flag

Hit while carrying: drop the flagRED BASEBLUE BASE1Back to base to respawnFlag drops hereBlue playerOutFoam-arrow shotRed movesFlag
Red 3 is hit while carrying the flag. The flag drops where Red 3 stood, and Red 3 goes back to touch the red base before rejoining.

Rules that keep it fair and safe

  • No defending inside your own flag zone. Leave a few paces of space around the flag.
  • The flag is carried, never thrown.
  • Respawning players walk back by the sideline with a hand up and can’t shoot until they have touched their base.
  • Runners carry their bow but can’t shoot while holding the flag.
Before the first arrow: masks on for every player, light bows, inspected foam-tip arrows and a referee with a whistle. Our safety standard has the full checklist.

Variations

One flag. A single flag in the middle of the field; carry it into the other team’s base to score.

Jail. Instead of respawning, hit players wait in the other team’s jail until a teammate tags them free. Best for older groups with a big field.

Get the gear for this game

Capture the Flag needs the core kit plus two flags, cones and team vests so runners can be spotted fast. Our birthday and full-field kits cover it.

See our complete kits