Playing Elbow Tag: How Time Flies in Traditional Sports

Ever wondered how time flies when you're having fun? This study took a deep dive into that question by looking at two versions of the old-school game, Elbow Tag. The game has a unique way of changing rules, where tweaking one rule in version 1 (V1) can completely change how players act in version 2 (V2). Researchers used a mix of methods to observe and understand how players moved and felt during two eight-minute games of V1 and V2. They tracked how often players switched roles and how long they spent trying different moves. They also took a look at the emotional and strategic meaning behind these actions. It turns out, each role in the game – Cat, Mouse, and Pitcher – created its own sense of time for the players. This discovery highlights the importance of teaching kids about time and movement in physical education.