Call and Response Games Lame Fox And Chickens
( Call and Response, Chase and Catch, Physical Contest, Tag )One player is chosen for the fox and stands in a den marked off at one end of the playground. The rest are chickens and have a chicken yard at the opposite end of the ground. The chickens advance as near as they dare to the den of the fox and tease him by calling out “Lame fox Lame fox Cant catch anybody ” The lame fox may take only three steps beyond his den after which he must hop on one foot trying to tag the chickens while hopping. All tagged become foxes and go home with him thereafter sallying forth with him to catch the chickens. They must all then observe the same rule of taking but three steps beyond the den after which they must hop. Should any fox put both feet down at once after his three steps while outside the den the chickens may drive him back. Care should be taken that the hopping be not always done on the same foot though a fox may change his hopping from one foot to the other. The chicken last caught wins the game and becomes the first lame fox in the new game.
Where more than thirty players are engaged the game should start with two or more foxes.
This game has sometimes been called Lame Goose. It is admirable for players of all ages but like all “dare” games is especially good to overcome timidity. Timid children should be encouraged to venture near the fox and to take risks in giving their challenge.