Capture the flag

You play in two teams.

Each team has a home base. Each base has a flag.

You run to the other side. You try to grab their flag.

Be careful not to get tagged. If you are tagged, you go to jail.

A teammate can come to free you. You win by bringing the flag home.

It is a fun game to play outside!

Capture the flag is a fun team sport.

Two teams play on a big field. The field is split into two halves. Each half is a team territory. Each team has a flag at their base. A flag can be a piece of cloth. In night games, flags might be flashlights or glowsticks.

To win, you must run to the enemy territory. You try to grab their flag. Then, you must run it back to your own base. You must do this without being tagged.

Players are safe in their own territory. But you can be tagged in the enemy side. If you are tagged, you might go to jail. A teammate can come to free you from jail. Some rules say you can stay in jail for three minutes.

There are many ways to play. Some people play with sticks instead of flags. Others play on computers. In computer security, people look for secret flags in code.

It is a game of speed and skill. You must work with your team to win.

Capture the flag is a classic outdoor sport played by two or more teams.

The main goal is to grab the other team's flag and bring it back to your own base. This flag is usually a piece of fabric. However, it can be any small object that is easy to carry. During night games, players might use flashlights, lanterns, or glowsticks as flags. Some players even wear dark colors at night to hide from their opponents. It is a game that relies on teamwork and quick movement.

To play, you first divide a field into two halves called territories. Each team stays in its own territory where they are safe from being tagged. If you cross the line into the enemy territory, you become vulnerable. If an opponent tags you, different rules might apply depending on the game. You might be sent to a jail, or you might be frozen in place. In some versions, you might even join the opposite team. If you are in jail, a teammate can often come to free you.

This game has a very long history. In 1860, a German manual by Wilhelm Lübeck described a game called Fahnenbarlauf. During the 19th century, it was a variation of a European game called Barlaufen. English descriptions appeared in the early 20th century as well. In 1908, Robert Baden-Powell wrote about "Flag Raiding" in his book, Scouting for Boys. Later, in 1920, the Boy Scouts of America included it in their official handbook. These old writings show how much people have enjoyed the game for a long time.

There are many different ways to change the rules. In one version, players use bandannas in their pockets instead of tagging. In another version, people play "Stealing Sticks" in the British Isles and Australia. Instead of a flag, players try to take sticks, hats, or coats from the enemy goal. Some people even play with airsoft or Nerf gear. In urban versions played in cities, players might use cellphones to talk to each other. At the University of Minnesota, hundreds of people play on the Northrop Mall on Fridays.

Capture the flag has even moved into the world of technology. In 1984, a computer game called Bannercatch was released for the Apple II. In 1992, Richard Carr released a strategy game called Capture the Flag for MS-DOS. Today, there is also a version used in computer security. In these competitions, "flags" are actually secrets hidden inside programs or websites. Experts try to find these hidden flags to test how strong a system is.

Whether on a field or a computer, the spirit of the game remains the same.

Capture the Flag (CTF) is a traditional competitive sport played by two or more teams.

The primary objective is to seize an opponent's flag and return it safely to one's own base. This flag is often a piece of fabric, but it can be any small, portable object. For nighttime matches, players may use lanterns, glowsticks, or flashlights as markers. The game relies on strategic movement, teamwork, and territorial control. It can be played in various environments, from open fields to enclosed urban spaces.

To begin, a playing field is divided into two distinct halves called territories. Each team is assigned to one territory and protects their own flag, which is usually placed at the rear of their side. While inside their own territory, players are considered "safe" and cannot be tagged. However, once a player crosses the boundary into enemy territory, they become vulnerable. If an opponent tags them, the player must follow specific rules. They might be sent to a "jail" area, frozen in place, or even forced to join the opposing team.

Rules regarding the flag and jail vary significantly between different versions of the game. In some games, a tagged player must go to a designated jail until a teammate rescues them. This rescue might happen after a set time, such as three minutes, or through a teammate's intervention. When a player is tagged while actually carrying the flag, the flag's fate depends on the local rules. In one variant, the flag returns to its original starting position. In another, the flag remains exactly where the player was tagged. This second method can make offensive play easier because the flag moves closer to the center line over time.

There are many diverse ways to play this game, ranging from physical variations to tactical shifts. One version uses bandannas tucked into pockets; instead of tagging, players must pull the opponent's bandanna to capture them. Another version is called "Stealing Sticks," popular in the British Isles, the United States, and Australia. In this version, players attempt to take sticks, hats, or coats from a goal rather than a flag. Some modern players use airsoft, paintball, or Nerf equipment to play. In these versions, players who are hit must "respawn" by sitting out for a predetermined amount of time.

Capture the Flag has a documented history stretching back to the 19th century. In 1860, Wilhelm Lübeck described a game called Fahnenbarlauf in a German gymnastic manual. During that century, it was often viewed as a variation of the European game Barlaufen. English-language descriptions emerged in the early 1900s. For example, Robert Baden-Powell included "Flag Raiding" in his 1908 book, "Scouting for Boys." By 1920, the Boy Scouts of America had included the game in their official handbook.

Technology has also adopted the mechanics of Capture the Flag. In 1984, the game Bannercatch was released for the Apple II and Commodore 64. This educational game used quadrants like "home," "enemy," and "no-mans land" to simulate the sport. In 1992, Richard Carr released a turn-based strategy game for MS-DOS. More recently, the concept has moved into the digital realm of computer security. In these professional competitions, "flags" are actually secrets hidden within vulnerable programs or websites.

Competitors must find these secrets to succeed.

Today, the game remains a popular way for people to connect through physical and digital play. Urban gaming trends have brought the game back to city streets, where players use cellphones to communicate. One long-running example takes place at the University of Minnesota on the Northrop Mall. On Fridays, this event can attract anywhere from 50 to several hundred participants. Whether it is played on a grassy field, in a city, or through a computer screen, the core challenge of the game remains the same.