Steal the Bacon: Rules, Scoring and Fair Numbering
Steal the bacon is a running game for two teams. Every player has a number, and the same numbers are used on both teams. A caller shouts a number, the two players with that number race to the middle, and each tries to grab the “bacon” and get it home without being tagged. It is a PE and summer camp favourite because it needs almost no equipment and everyone gets a turn.
What you need
- An object to be the bacon: a beanbag, a soft ball, a rubber chicken or a knotted towel.
- A space about the size of a basketball court, or a strip of grass with two lines marked about 10 to 15 metres apart.
- Two teams of the same size, and one caller (often the teacher or a player who sits out a round).
- A fair way to number players and call numbers, such as a random number generator or the random name picker.
How to play
- Split into two teams and line each team up behind its own line, facing the other team.
- Number the players on each team from 1 up. Each number should exist once on each team.
- Put the bacon on the ground in the middle, the same distance from both lines.
- The caller shouts a number. The two players with that number run to the middle.
- A player who grabs the bacon tries to run back over their own line. The other player tries to tag them before they get there.
- Scoring: one common way is 2 points for getting the bacon home and 1 point for tagging the player who has it. Put the bacon back and call the next number.
- Play to a set score or for a set time. The team with more points wins.
Rules differ from school to school. Some groups give a single point for either a steal or a tag, and some let players stand over the bacon and wait for the other player to make a move. Agree on the rules before the first call.
Fair numbering and calling
The game is only fun if both players in each pair are well matched and every number gets called. If teams are numbered by height or speed, some pairs will be one-sided, so it is better to number players in a random order. Shuffle each team’s names with the random name picker, then give out numbers in the order they come up. For tips on making the teams themselves even, see our guide to making random teams.
When calling, a random draw keeps the caller from picking favourites. Use the picker wheel with one slice per number, or draw numbers with no repeats until everyone has had a turn, then start again.
Odds of your number being called
If the caller picks a number at random each time, with repeats allowed, the table shows how often a player is called. “Per team” is the number of players on each team, “Each call” is the chance your number comes up on any one call, “In 10 calls” is the chance it comes up at least once in 10 calls, and “Avg wait” is the average number of calls before your turn.
| Per team | Each call | In 10 calls | Avg wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 25% | 94% | 4 |
| 5 | 20% | 89% | 5 |
| 6 | 17% | 84% | 6 |
| 8 | 12.5% | 74% | 8 |
| 10 | 10% | 65% | 10 |
| 12 | 8% | 58% | 12 |
| 15 | 7% | 50% | 15 |
With 15 players per team, about half of the players will still be waiting after 10 calls. That is why many teachers draw without repeats: then every player runs once before anyone runs twice. Calling two or three numbers at once also gets more players moving.
PE safety tips
- Use a soft object for the bacon, never something hard or heavy.
- Tags are a light touch with one hand on the back or shoulder. No pushing, grabbing clothes or diving.
- Leave plenty of room behind each line so players can slow down safely.
- Remind players to watch where they are running, especially when several numbers are called at once.
- Pair players of similar size and speed where you can, and let anyone sit out a round if they need to.
Variations
- Maths numbers: the caller says a sum, such as “3 plus 4”, and number 7 runs.
- Multiple calls: call two or three numbers at once for a busier game.
- Ball skills: players must dribble the ball home with their feet or bounce it with a hand.
- Two pieces of bacon: put two objects in the middle; each player must get one home.
- Everyone runs: on the call “bacon!”, all players run, and the team that takes more objects home wins the round.
For more team running games, try sharks and minnows, capture the flag or tug of war.
FAQ
How do you play steal the bacon?
Two teams line up facing each other, and each player has a number. The caller shouts a number, and the two players with that number race to grab an object in the middle and carry it back over their own line without being tagged.
How do you score steal the bacon?
A common way is 2 points for getting the bacon home and 1 point for tagging the player who has it. Some groups give 1 point for either.
What can you use for the bacon?
Any soft object works: a beanbag, a soft ball, a rubber chicken or a knotted towel.
How many players do you need?
At least four, two on each team. It works well with whole classes of 20 to 30.
How do you make sure everyone gets a turn?
Draw numbers without repeats, using a random number generator or a name picker, until every number has been called once.