Piggy in the Middle Game: Rules, Rotation and Tips
Piggy in the middle, also called monkey in the middle or keep away, is a simple ball game for three or more players. Two players throw a ball to each other, and the player in the middle, the piggy, tries to catch it. When the piggy catches the ball, someone else has to go in the middle. It needs only a soft ball and a bit of space, so it is a favourite in gardens, parks and playgrounds. Here are the rules, fair ways to choose the first piggy, rotation rules that stop arguments, ball and age tips, and some variations.
How to play piggy in the middle
- Two throwers stand about five to ten steps apart, facing each other. The piggy stands between them.
- The throwers pass the ball to each other, over or around the piggy.
- The piggy tries to catch or intercept the ball, without grabbing or pushing the throwers.
- When the piggy catches the ball, the piggy swaps places with the player who threw it, and that player becomes the new piggy.
- Keep playing for as long as you like. There is no fixed winner; the aim is to spend as little time in the middle as possible.
Fair ways to choose the first piggy
Nobody wants to start in the middle, so decide quickly and fairly instead of arguing. With three players, play a round of Rock Paper Scissors and the loser is the piggy. With more players, roll the Dice Roller for each player and give the lowest roll the middle, rolling again on a tie. For more quick methods, see our guide to deciding who goes first.
A random pick is fair in each game, but over several games luck can still leave someone out. The table shows this for different group sizes. Players is the number of players, First the chance that a given player starts as the piggy in one game, and Never the chance that a given player never starts as the piggy in five games.
| Players | First | Never |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 33% | 13% |
| 4 | 25% | 24% |
| 5 | 20% | 33% |
| 6 | 17% | 40% |
With six players, a given player has about a 40% chance of never starting in the middle over five games, while someone else may start twice. That is fine for a casual game, because the rotation rules soon move everyone around.
Rotation rules that stop arguments
Most arguments in piggy in the middle are about who goes in next. Agree on one of these before you start:
- Thrower goes in: the player whose throw was caught becomes the piggy. This is a common rule and rewards good passing.
- Touch counts: if the piggy touches the ball, even without catching it, the thrower goes in. This helps younger or smaller piggies.
- Time limit: if the piggy has not caught the ball after a minute or after twenty passes, the piggy swaps anyway.
- No lob rule: throws must be below head height of the throwers, or the piggy never has a chance.
- Dropped ball: if a thrower drops a catchable ball, the thrower who dropped it goes in.
Ball and age tips
- Young children: use a large soft ball or a beanbag, keep the throwers close together and use the touch counts rule.
- Older children: a tennis ball or small football works, and you can make the space bigger.
- Mixed ages: let the youngest player be piggy for a shorter time, or give them two piggies in the middle.
- Indoors: only with a soft foam ball and away from windows and lamps.
- Be kind: the game can feel like teasing if the same child stays in the middle for a long time. Use a time limit so nobody is stuck there.
Variations
- Bigger circle: four to eight players stand in a circle and pass the ball across, with one or two piggies in the middle.
- Bounce pass only: every pass must bounce once, which slows the ball down and suits smaller children.
- Football version: pass with your feet instead of your hands. The piggy must win the ball without fouling.
- Frisbee version: use a soft flying disc for older players.
- Related games: for another simple ball game, try four square. For a passing game with no one in the middle, play hot potato.
FAQ
How do you play piggy in the middle?
Two players throw a ball to each other while a player in the middle, the piggy, tries to catch it. When the piggy catches the ball, the player who threw it goes into the middle.
Is piggy in the middle the same as monkey in the middle?
Yes. It is the same game with different names. In North America it is often called monkey in the middle or keep away.
How many players do you need for piggy in the middle?
At least three: two throwers and one piggy. With more players, stand in a circle and add a second piggy.
How do you decide who is in the middle first?
Use a quick random method, such as rock paper scissors with three players or a dice roll with more. The lowest roll or the loser starts as the piggy.
What ball is best for piggy in the middle?
A soft ball that is easy to catch. Use a large soft ball or beanbag for young children and a tennis ball or small football for older ones.