Youth Games Collection

Big group game, High energy

King Caractacus (No Sir, Not I Sir)

Description

King Caractacus (No Sir, Not I Sir) is a high-paced game that requires concentration and quick reaction time. Your persistence to outpace your opponents can earn you the victorious title, reigning as #1. Be prepared for a loud, thrilling game!

Materials

  • Chairs, arranged so that each team has their own row. The first row should be turned 180˚ to face the incoming teams - this row is designated for the front runners.

Formation

Teams should comprise at least three groups.

How to Play

  1. The Opening Monologue: The game's narrator initiates each round with the following speech: "King Caractacus has lost his crown. Some say this, some say that. I say it was Team number ______." Let's take Team #3 as a case study.

  2. Team's response: Hearing their team number, Team #3 stands up in unison and says: "Not I Sir".

  3. Counter-query by the Narrator: To this, the narrator responds with: "Then who Sir?"

  4. Accusation by Team #3: They shift the blame to another team by saying: "Team Number _____ Sir." As an example, they might accuse Team #1.

  5. Response and Counter-accusation by Accused Team: This starts conversation between Team #1 and Team #3, which will continue until a team blunders. The teams change their rows accordingly with the team making the mistake shifted to the last row and the others moving forward to fill the gap. The number of the row they now occupy becomes their new team number for the rest of the round.

  6. Repetitions: This game can proceed for as many rounds as necessary. A clever tactic is to surprise players by not revealing when the last round will occur. The game ends with the announcement that the current team in Row #1 stands as the champion.

Mistakes that Can Get a Team Out

A team might lose its place or get relegated to the last row due to the following reasons:

  • The team members do not stand up in unison.
  • They do not chant their response simultaneously.
  • They do not accuse the same team.
  • They accuse the previous team which had implicated them (For instance, if Team #1 accuses Team #2, then Team #2 will lose their place if they accuse Team #1 in return).

Note that the narrator holds the power to send any team to the back row if they suspect any signs of cheating, unsporting behaviour, or talking during a round.