Bad Egg
Encyclopedia
Bad egg is a children's playground
ball game
played in Great Britain
and other countries.
One player
is chosen as the 'bad egg' and turns their back to the other players. 'Bad Egg' then asks the others to each name something from a particular group (for example, each player is to name a colour, or a sports team, etc). Once each player has answered, the 'Bad Egg' throws a tennis
ball over their shoulder, and shouts out one of the answers that had been given by the other players. All players, except Bad Egg, run in different directions and the person whose answer was shouted out has to run after the ball
, and calls 'stop' when they retrieve it.
On hearing 'stop' all players, including the one who went after the ball, remain stationary. All players, except the one with the ball, stand with their legs
apart. The player with the ball then attempts to roll it under the legs
of one of the other players. If successful, that player becomes 'Bad Egg'. If unsuccessful, the player who retrieved the ball becomes 'Bad Egg'.
As with most informal games, the detailed rules vary with Location
. For example, in one variation the ball retriever may take an agreed number of steps towards their chosen target.
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
ball game
Ball game
In American English, ball game refers specifically to either a game of basketball, baseball or American football. In British English ball game refers to any sport played with a ball....
played in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and other countries.
One player
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
is chosen as the 'bad egg' and turns their back to the other players. 'Bad Egg' then asks the others to each name something from a particular group (for example, each player is to name a colour, or a sports team, etc). Once each player has answered, the 'Bad Egg' throws a tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
ball over their shoulder, and shouts out one of the answers that had been given by the other players. All players, except Bad Egg, run in different directions and the person whose answer was shouted out has to run after the ball
Ball
A ball is a round, usually spherical but sometimes ovoid, object with various uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used for simpler activities, such as catch, marbles and juggling...
, and calls 'stop' when they retrieve it.
On hearing 'stop' all players, including the one who went after the ball, remain stationary. All players, except the one with the ball, stand with their legs
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
apart. The player with the ball then attempts to roll it under the legs
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
of one of the other players. If successful, that player becomes 'Bad Egg'. If unsuccessful, the player who retrieved the ball becomes 'Bad Egg'.
As with most informal games, the detailed rules vary with Location
Location (geography)
The terms location and place in geography are used to identify a point or an area on the Earth's surface or elsewhere. The term 'location' generally implies a higher degree of can certainty than "place" which often has an ambiguous boundary relying more on human/social attributes of place identity...
. For example, in one variation the ball retriever may take an agreed number of steps towards their chosen target.
External links
- Estonian analysis of the game