Couch Game

Position Is Power #

The Couch Game is a strategic and social team-based game where players take on new identities and work to strategically occupy designated goal spots. The game is played with boys versus girls or any two teams divided by bandanas, with the ultimate aim of securing all the goal spots with members from the same team.

How to Play #

Each player writes their name on a slip of paper and places it in a jar. These slips are then shuffled and redistributed, giving each player a new identity for the duration of the game. Players sit in a circle with alternating team members, and a few (usually four) adjacent seats are designated as the goal spots. The game starts with one empty seat, known as the "target seat." The person to the left of the target seat calls out a name, and the player holding the slip with that name moves to the target seat. The seat they vacated becomes the new target seat, and play continues with the next player calling out a name. Introduce a time limit for calling out names to increase the pace and challenge.

Rules #

Team Setup: Players are divided equally into two teams, typically boys vs. girls. This can also be done by handing out headbands or bandanas, which can also be given to the team with uneven amount of players.

Identity Exchange: Players use the names on the slips they receive and must remember their new identities.

Movement: Players move to the target seat when their new name is called.

Strategic Seating: The objective is to maneuver so that all goal spots are filled consecutively by players from the same team.

Winning Condition: The game ends when one team successfully occupies all goal spots with their members.

No Assisting: Other players, are not allowed to assist, say names, make noises, point, or anything else that may try to hint to the name caller a specific name. If a game moderator catches this, the name cannot be called out for that turn.

Name Cooldown: A name cannot be repeated for two turns. This allows more names to be called out instead of being switched between one or two, and allows for a more memmory based gameplay. This cooldown can be increased or decreased as needed.

Materials #

Materials Required

• Slips of Paper and Pens: One for each player to write their name on.

• Jar or Container: To mix and redistribute the name slips.

• Chairs or Couches: Enough for all players, plus designated goal spots.

Setup #

Setup Instructions:

1. Prepare Slips: Each player writes their name on a slip of paper and places it in the jar.

2. Redistribute Names: Mix the slips well and hand them back to players randomly.

3. Arrange Seating: Set up chairs in a circle with alternating team members and designate the goal spots.

4. Explain Rules: Ensure all players understand their new identities, the rules of movement, and the objectives of the game.