GUIDES
Four-mation
Aim of the activity
Can your team get 4 in a row and win this life-sized game? Think fast and work as a team to outwit your opponents!
What you'll get out of it
- Play a fun, active game with your unit.
- Work as a team.
- Explore your strategy skills.
- Build confidence by making decisions within a time limit.
What you’ll need
- Something to mark out your grid. For example, masking tape, chalk or 42 chairs.
- Team markers, 24 per team (mix of players and objects) - see note to leader.
- Something to show the top of the grid - see note to leader.
- A timer.
Note to leader
Before you start mark out a 6x7 grid (7 columns, 6 rows) on the floor (42 spaces in total). The spaces need to be big enough for a Guide to stand in. Make 1 side the top and mark the top with an item or arrow - this is where markers enter the grid.
Each team will need 24 markers in total - this number can be made up of the players and objects. Make sure each team's players and the objects can be easily identified. You could use coloured bibs. Or have a jumper on and jumpers off team for the players and use different objects for each team for example, cups versus books or anything else you have to hand.
What to do
1
Get into 2 teams and make sure you can tell who belongs to each team. Choose someone on each team to be captain.
2
Get someone to read out how to play four-mation and check out the strategy top tips. You could have a practice round if needed.
3
Time to play four-mation and drop your first marker into the grid. Who will get 4 in a row first?
How to play four-mation
• To win four-mation, a team needs to have 4 markers (this is the team's players and objects) in a row – it can be a straight line or a diagonal.
• Teams take it in turns to ‘drop’ a marker (either player or object) into the grid from the top.
• The marker dropped into the grid must be placed in the lowest empty space in the chosen column. When all players are on the grid, the team captain can drop an object marker then return to their spot.
• You have 30 seconds per turn to drop your marker. Ask your leader or the other team if they can time you.
Try it this way
Play the game once all the way through, then create your own bonus rules! For example, choose a wild card player who can be placed anywhere on the grid (even if it’s not the lowest empty space in a column) or once per game each team can steal a space from their opponents. Can you think of any fun rules to shake up the game?
Strategy top tip
• Winning four-mation is all about using your strategising skills! Work as a team and listen to everyone to figure out where to drop each marker. • On each turn, think carefully about if you want to block the other team or try to make 4 in a row. • Try to think a step ahead of the other team. Ask yourself, if you place a marker in one space, where would the other team place their marker? • Quick decision making is important! Make sure you don’t run out of time. • Remember, if all your players are in the grid, when you talk the other team will be able to hear your ideas. • Play as many times as you like and try to outsmart the other team!