The Exercises/Games

This page presents various games that we have always enjoyed playing. With each of the games, a certain aspect of the overall game is practised at the same time. We have sorted the games by type and from top to bottom in ascending order of difficulty.

You can find more about our training structure here.

if you know of other exercises, games or training methods that have not yet been listed here, we are always happy to receive criticism and suggestions.
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K = commando
L = two-handed weapon (spear)
D = two-handed weapon (daneaxe)
O = one-handed weapon (axe/sword/one-handed spear)
E = one-handed weapon (one-handed spear)
R = runner

1. Small Groups Training for single fighters or teams of two.
   1. The Tower Game
   2. A Small Barroom Brawl
   3. Warm up with obstacles
   4. couple therapy
   • See also Training exercises
2. All Against All Used to practice fighting and movement of single fighters and small groups.
   1. Circle Of Honour
   2. Circle Of Dishonour
   3. Circle Fighting
   4. Hunting Groups
   5. Teams
   6. Start Game
   7. time runs out
   8. Accumulation
3. Confined Areas How to move groups within closed borders and around obstacles.
   1. Brigde
   2. Frontiergame
   3. The Boat Game
   4. Triangel Bridge
   5. Bottleneck
   6. Two Brigdes
   7. Fight Around the tower
   8. tower capture
   9. Swedish Brigde
   10. The "Dress Left" Game
4. Special Tasks Achieving a task that requires a bit more than plain fighting.
   1. Kill The King
   2. Small Kings
   3. Capture The Flag
   4. Treacherous Transport
   5. Four Kings
   6. Skirmisher Line
   7. Card Game
5. Linefighting The usual.
   1. Linefight Without Runners
   2. Linefight With Runners
   3. Linefight Without Formation
   4. Linefight With Formation
6. Open Borders Again some special tasks have to be met.
   1. Dots And Boxes
   2. Small Reinforcements Game
   3. Team Reinforcements
   4. Reinforcements Line
   5. Big Reinforcements Bridge
   6. Outnumbered fight
   7. bridgehead
   8. Tunnel
   9. Spearcoast
   10. Runnerstorm
   11. Lonely wolves
   12. Border Guard
   13. You shall not pass!
7. Formations Moving around in a group, staying in formation.
   1. Teams-Circle with Runners
   2. Teams-Circle with Allies

(Das Turmspiel)

All fighters inside a circle (the tower) fight everyone else. The aim is to be the only one on top of the tower. If you are hit, you leave the tower, queue up, count to ten and step inside the tower again. There are two or more opposing entry-points (ladders). People on the ladders don't participate in fights. If you step outside the circle, you fall from the tower and have to climb up again.

What is trained:

• defending in multiple directions simultaneously
• quick movement and reaction in a confined area

Fighters: 7-17 (4 on each ladder and 3 on the tower)

(Kleine Kneipenschlägerei)

Everyone fights everyone else in a small rectangle. Acces to the rectangle ist via to opposing corners. When entering the barroom, announce yourself by saying „knock knock!“. Only close combat weapons such as sax, dagger, sword should be used. No shields.

What is trained:
Fighting with just the weapon, movin in close quarters, single combat techniques

Fighters: 6-12 (Or as much as you like when using multiple instances of the same game. Move on to the next game after defeat.)

(Aufwärmen mit Hindernissen)

The playing field is provided with obstacles and indentations by poles & cones, which must neither be fought over nor run over. Entrance to the field is at two diagonally opposite corners. Fighting will be Dishonour with one hand weapon + buckler, two weapons or long weapon. Those eliminated may re-enter the game at the appropriate points after being announced („In!“).

What is trained:
Overview and tactics in chaos, stamina and speed.

Persons: 5<

(Paartherapie)

The fighters face each other in two lines. Within the lines, two fighters are always a pair, preferably a longsword and a shield bearer. If one of the partners dies, the other is eliminated directly with it.

What is trained:
Communication in small teams, looking out for each other, defending teammates.

Persons: 12<

(Jeder gegen jeden „fair“)

All fighters position in a big circle. Everyone who is ready to fight lifts his weapon. If a fighter does not lift his weapon, he is not playing. Upon beginning everyone engages an opponent. Others may not interrupt the duels. The winner waits for another duel to finish and fights the winner. The last one left may start the next circle.

What is trained:
This game is for training the classic duel situation.

Fighters: 4-16

(Jeder gegen jeden „unfair“)

All fighters position in a big circle. Everyone who is ready to fight lifts his weapon. If a fighter does not lift his weapon, he is not playing. In this game, everyone fights everyone else. Sneak attacking someone from behind is part of the game. Two or more players can create a spontaneous alliance that can most easily be ended by one partner killing the other. The last one alive may start the next circle.

What is trained:
This game practices to keep a good view on the battlefield while fighting. You should learn how close other players can get before becoming a threat to you. Avoiding contact, realising and taking advantage of the unawareness of other fighters is also trained.

Look out!

Fighters: 4-20

(Jeder gegen jeden „Kreiskampf“)

Form a circle. One person is inside the circle fighting short duels against everyone in turn. After he completed the round its the next fighters turn to be in the circle. If the circle is big enough, you can have more than one person inside at a time.

What is trained:
You practise to adjust to different levels and styles of fighting. Duels all around…

Fighters: 8-14

(Gruppenkampf)

Two to three fighters team up. It's a good idea to have a polearm (spear or daneaxe) or a marksman in the team. Those groups fight each other in a similar way the circle of dishonour works. If a fighter is hit, the remaining part of the team proceeds. The last group left wins. Or maybe only the last one left of this group.

Variation: Have a respawn area for dead fighters. If there's enough of them to form a new team, they may start again.

What is trained:
Coordination within the team.
Try assigning a commander.

Fighters: 8-45

(Teamkampf)

This game is a variation on Hunting Groups. This time, when a fighter dies, the whole team leaves the battle. Teams can work together for some time, but in the end only one team can win.

Variation: Have a respawn area for dead fighters. If there's enough of them to form a new team, they may start again.

What is trained:
Coordination within the team. Not getting hit.

Fighters: 8-27

(Start Spiel)

The game is a good introduction to group training, as everyone can warm up well. The game has several phases. In the first phase, everyone looks for a duel partner with whom they would like to train. In the second phase, everyone joins forces with their duel partner and looks for an opponent team. In all subsequent phases, the process is repeated: the groups join up with their previous opponents and look for a new group as an opponent.\ In all fights, everyone tries to determine and correct the mistakes of their own group and the opposing group.
In order to get balanced groups, the groups should strive for the average strength when choosing opponents. This means that if one of the groups has started to like to find a particularly good opponent, in the following phases the group should look for opponents with whom they can get closer to the average fighting strength on the battlefield. If necessary, someone will coordinate this.

What is trained:
Fighting in small groups, spotting and correcting mistakes, Coordination in different group configurations

Fighters: 12-600

(Die Zeit läuft ab)

Two fight defensively and line up opposite each other at a distance of about 15 m. Three fight offensively and stand between the defensive fighters so that there are two people on one side and one on the other and they are about 7 metres apart. On a common signal, it is the task of the offensive fighters to defeat the defensive fighters in 5 seconds. If they succeed within the time, they have won, otherwise the defenders have won. The time can also be increased to 7 seconds, depending on experience and distance, and all positions can be doubled. The time is counted loudly and audibly for all by the offensive player who is in the offensive 2-person team.

What is trained:
Acting quickly together in space and running over opponents. Fighting opponents together. Defensive holding. Speaking loudly enough during fighting for all to hear.

Persons: 5 or 10 or any number of instances.

(Das große Fressen)

In this game, players form groups of two and spread out on the playing field. Each group gives itself a short name. Then all groups fight against each other. Whenever a hit is placed, the name of the group should be called out and the person who was hit switches to the opposing group that placed the hit. This leads to the fact that in the end there is only one large group.

What is trained:
Any form of coordination in groups, backing up, moving in groups, appropriate retreat, reaction skills.

People: 14<

(Auf der Brücke)

Two teams fight on a bridge. One team tries to defend while the other tries to cross the bridge. If you fall from the bridge, you are dead. You don't need to take a real bridge, a small path or two lines on the ground will do.

What is trained:
Tactical positioning with regard to a bottleneck. Defining the place and way of a fight by ones positioning. A bridge is a classical bottleneck, but it could as well be a hole in a fence or a doorway (only then you can't see the other team). Additionally the teams train fighting in confined areas as evading is not possible.

some pictures

Fighters: 10-40 (depends on the width of the bridge)

(Zaunkampf / Grenzkampf)

One group defends an obstacle (fence, trench, a line drawn in the ground) the other group tries to pass the obstacle and overcome all defenders. Depending on the obstacle the defenders can be short-handed.

What is trained:
What position to take in relation to an obstacle. Dealing with obstacles:

• How to use an obstacle and hinder the attacker
• How to cross an obstacle safely

Fighters: 8-24

(Das Bootspiel)

Similar to „Capture The Flag“ the goal is to reach a certain place. In this game, the place is confined by a rope on the ground which has the shape of a boat. If you leave the area inside the rope, you fall from the boat and are dead. One member has to reach the opposite side of the boat to make his team win.

What is trained:

• Keeping a formation in confined space
• Breaking through a line

Fighters: 10-22

(Dreieckige Brücke)

This game is similar to „Capture The Flag“ and „The Boat Game“ in that you have to get to another groups base while defending your own. Only this time it's three groups.
The area is divided into the central triangle and the three areas belonging to the groups. The groups areas are devided by walls, you must pass through the central triangle to get to another area. The walls are flexible though i.e. if you are fighting someone who is in the same area they don't matter. You can't fight people in another area.
You win by killing both other teams. If a base is taken, the whole team dies.

What is trained:

• tactics, movement and positions with regard to several other groups
• breaking through a line

Fighters: 12-33

(Engpass)

Similar to the Bridge a confined area is drawn on the ground or otherwise marked. This time the field is asymmetrical. Playing the game works like with the bridge.

What is trained:
Moving in a confined area. Varying the width of a line to adjust to an asymmetrical field. This will produce chaos and holes in the line until the fighters get used to it.

Fighters: 9-50 (depends on the area)

(Zwei Brücken)

Both groups try to use the bottlenecks to their advantage and defeat the other group. If you fall into the water, you are dead (grey rectangle in the middle and outer border).

What is trained:
Similar to the bridge game, tactical positioning with regard to a bottleneck, regrouping with longer distances to run.

Fighters: 12-40

(Kampf um den Turm)

A square playing field is needed with an equally square field in the middle, which may not be entered or fought over. There should be space for 3 fighters side by side between the inner and outer squares. The fighters are divided into two equal teams. The winner is the remaining group.

Variation: Tower with center aisle; in the middle of the inner square there is a wide passage for a maximum of one person.

What is trained:
Communication, division, use reserve, put focus offensively.

People: 10<

(Turm Eroberung)

The board is similar to tower, only round or oblong-oval (can be left the same). There is an opening at the tops of each, through which two people can just about fit at the same time. The teams start about 10 meters outside the playing field. On command, the teams start and occupy as much space as possible inside the playing field. The remaining group wins.

What is trained:
Gaining space in the team, quickly taking positions, communication in the team, dynamic fighting in the team.

Persons: 8<

Bro (Schwedische Brücke)

Two groups face each other on a bridge (or otherwise confined field). In the middle of the bridge are two lines, 1 to 2 meters apart. The first clash has to be between these lines. One group will push back the other, until they cross the far line. Now the stronger group has to move backwards, behind their own line. Only then can they attack and finish the other group to win.

What is trained:
Keeping formation even when the others push. Moving while fighting. Killing while retreating. Moving backwards when winning. Staying aware of the whole situation while fighting.

Fighters: 16-60

(Das „Links fällt“-Spiel)

Two equal groups fight on a bridge. A fighter who gets hit rejoins the same group on the rightmost position. To do that, he will have to talk to the other fighters so they make space for him. This results in the whole group „dressing left“ every so often. Fighters with long weapons (spears and daneaxes) face the decision either to dress left with the group or switch position to the right, effectivly staying where they started. No group is supposed to go forward. It will still happen though. If the other group is not regaining the bridge in an adequate time, the first group should back off a bit. This is an endless game.

What is trained:
communication when joining a line, listening to commands while fighting, monouvering while fighting, individual compensation of gaps in the line. Long weapon fighters practice to switch positions (without getting in conflict with other long weapons who might want the same spot) and coordinating fighters in front of them.

Fighters: 10-60

(Töte den König)

Two groups select a king each. A fighter who got hit can return to the game after reaching a special area (resurrection area). The teams have separate resurrection areas. When the king is killed, he has to go to his teams resurrection area immediately. He does not get resurrected, instead his fighters can not resurrect either after his death, but stay in the resurrection area when killed. When all fighters of one group are dead, the other group wins.

What is trained:
To guard a person (moving object). Reforming in different situations, reintegrating in a fighting group after resurrection.

Variations:

• Unknown King: Don't tell the other group who's your king.
• Kingslayer: To begin, place a special weapon in the middle of the field. Only this weapon can kill a king. If the fighter carrying the kingslayer dies, he has to drop the weapon and go to his resurrection area. Someone else can take up the kingslayer. Hardest part is to get the weapon safely.

Personen: 12-40

(Kleine Könige)

The fighters face each other in two lines. In each line there are two fighters who have only a small shield and are otherwise unarmed (small kings). The kings must be in the first line. If both small kings of a line are hit, the group has lost.

What is trained:
Offensive: forming focus (long arms), communication; \\. Defensive: defending teammates, communication (announcing long weapons,…).

Persons: 16<

(Kampf um die Flagge)

You need two teams, two flags and two positions to put the flags on. The teams try to capture the enemy flag by getting to its position. If a member of the team takes the flag and shouts (whatever you agreed on) his team wins.

What is trained:
Reaching and defending a position. Dividing your forces the best way to match both tasks simultaneously.

Fighters: 16-40

(Transport mit Verrat)

One group hides (best if you have some forest), the other group has to pass the area where the first group is hidden. The second group has to carry some load (a chest).
Some additional fun: Allot a traitor in one of the groups.

What is trained:
Using the advantages the training ground has to offer. Looking out for the other group, a good sense of what might happen next. Paying attention to what your teammates do (mind the traitor!)
You practice to keep in mind what the others of your group should do, so you can fill in for the traitor once he's revealed and dealt with. The traitor learns to watch for the weak spots in his own team, so he can be most efficient.

Fighters: 14-40

(Vier Könige)

Plce four pins in a big square. Each pin belongs to a group which has to defend it. The square should be big enough so the groups can't attack other groups without leaving their pin. If a pin is kncked down, all remaining players of that group have to leave the game. The winner is the last group remaining.

What is trained:
Moving in an open field, defendig a position, redirecting opponents, overview and group coordination

Fighters: 20-100

(Plänkler Linie)

Two groups are formed. The two groups line up, with a large distance between them, on a limited field. When both groups are ready, both groups send out their skirmishers on a signal and the lines/formations go off. The task of the skirmishers is to take up as much space as possible and allow the group to manoeuvre. The task of the group is to use the opportunities created by the skirmishers and either integrate the skirmishers or let them through to the rear to form a reserve. As an alternative to defeat, it is also possible for a group that is in danger of collapsing to attempt to retreat to its baseline, thus creating a stalemate. This requires more than 1 person to reach the baseline with in an orderly fight back. The task of the opposing group in such a case is to knock down this attempt quickly and in a controlled manner without losing their own consistency.

What is trained: suitable skirmishing and corresponding counter-tactics. Use of the situations created by the skirmishers. Controlled retreat instead of collapse. Controlled defection of a nearly defeated group.

Persons: 10-40

(Kartenspiel)

Two groups of equal size are formed and two persons made gamemasters, accepted by both groups. Both groups get cards with maneuvers and tactics written on them.
Both groups chose one manouver that they want to use in the next fight. The according cards are handed over to the game masters. Then the fight takes place. Both groups try to follow their tactic and simultaneously try to disrupt the other groups tactic.

One of the groups wins the fight. If the chosen tactic was used successfully, the group gets one point. When a tactic was used successfully, the card is taken off the game.

This is repeated till all cards have been played or a set score has been reached or a set time is reached.

Card game cards

PDF: Card Game Karts

Cards Ribe 2014

What is trained:

Using different tactics, deception to prepare tactics.
Observing the opponent, recognition of tactics, flexible line-up and flexible reaction to tactics

Persons: 20-300

(Linienkampf ohne Umlaufen)

Two equal groups fight one another by forming two lines. If one group is reduced to two fighters these to may give up the line and start running around the other group.

• The groups form two lines
• No one is allowed to run around the edge of the other line to get in their back
• Breaking through the line (in the middle) is ok

If one group is reduced to two or less fighters the two start running to produce chaos. The situation turns into the game „Funny Rabbit“.

What is trained:
Working as a team without other tactical movements.

Fighters: 9-30

(Linienkampf mit Umlaufen)

Two „equal“ groups fight each other in line formation, it is allowed to leave formation at any time (runners etc).

What is trained:
This is the actual game.

Fighters: 12-60

(Linienkampf ohne Formation)

Two equal groups fight each other.

What is trained:
The other actual game. Coordination between fighters, taking initiative.

Fighters: 6-60

(Linienkampf mit Formation)

Two equal groups fight each other.

What is trained: The other actual game. Coordination between fighters, taking initiative (groups aswell as single fighters).

Fighters: 60-400

(Käsekästchen)

One group forms a triangle with the spears and daneaxes in the middle. The fighters at the corners are supposed to defend their positions. The triangle is not supposed to move around. The spears and daneaxes fight from the middle of the triangle.
The other group are all runners, trying to destroy the triangle formation.

What is trained:
The triangle practices to stay in formation and defend a position. The runners learn to attack edges and distract a group.

Fighters: 7-30

(Kleines Nachschub Spiel)

Split up into two equal groups. Two fighters from each group start the game with a small line (2 vs 2). The rest waits in a reasonable distance behind their respective groups. The moment one fighter dies, he is immediately replaced with one fighter from the reinforcements. The dead fighter joins his waiting group.
From time to time the lines get one person larger, until everyone is fighting or you get enough of it.

What is trained:
Working in a group with changing partners. Defending the line with inferior numbers. Gaining ground with a superior / equal group. The reinforcements learn to watch the line and to integrate quickly and efficiently if needed.

Fighters: 10-30

(Team Nachschub)

The players are divided into two lines of equal strength. The playing field is rectangular and elongated. Behind each baseline, each team has a respawn point to which the „dead“ must run. If there are two (or more, depending on the number of fighters) „dead“ there, they can directly re-enter the game together. The winner is the team that first pushes the other back across the baseline.

What is trained:
Overview, communication, incorporation of reserves, pressure build-up, pressure acceptance, endurance.

Persons: 12<

(Nachschub Linie)

Divide into attackers and defenders. The defenders seperate again, so they form a weak group and the reinforcements. Attackers and the weak group of the defenders oppose each other in a linefight. The reinforcements starts 15 m behind the defending line. 10 to 15 seconds after the main fight started the reinforcements joins with the remaining defenders.
The attackers should try to finish the weak group fast and without losses, so they are still in advantage when the reinforcements arrives. The defenders try to hold the line without losses untill reinforcements arrives. If this works out, they are the stronger group in the second stage of battle and should be able to overcome the attacking group.

What is trained:
The attackers train to finish of remaining fighters of a already beaten line and keeping track of possible reinforcements. It's usefull to coordinate the attacks of diffrent fighters to kill an opponent in the first attempt. The defenders practice to hold the line against a superiority. The reinforcements practise how to join with a group in a fight.

Fighters: 16-100

(Große Nachschub Brücke)

Two groups are formed. Each group chooses a commander. The goal of the two groups is to completely defeat the opposing group.
The battle starts in a bridge situation. Those eliminated gather and form a reserve of their own group. The commander may call the reserve three times (bring the eliminated back into the game). When the commander is eliminated, the reserves can no longer be called, but the game is not yet over. For the commanders, the later the reserves are called, the bigger they are. But too late is too late.

What is trained: Replenishment and targeted breakthrough. calling in the reserves at the right time.\

Persons: 20-300

(Unterzahlkampf)

The fighters are divided into three equal groups. One team consists of one group and the other team consists of two groups. The playing field is a very long bridge. The large team wins when it has completely defeated the smaller team. The smaller team wins when it reaches the back line fighting, generating more casualties than it has suffered.

What is trained:
For the outnumbered group: establishing and maintaining controlled pressure with superior numbers, quickly defeating outnumbered groups, maintaining consistency in superior numbers, good reserve management. For the outnumbered group: retreat and evasion while maintaining pressure (slow yielding in combat), consistency preservation in pressure situations, breakthrough avoidance in outnumbered situations, initiative from outnumbered situations (taking advantage of opportunities to breakthrough), exploiting inconsistencies from advancers.

(It is helpful in the beginning to always have one combatant not participating in the game and constantly giving the command to retreat).

Persons: 9<

(Brückenkopf)

The playing field is rectangular with an opening (about 2 people wide) on each of the short sides. The teams start about 10 m outside the playing field. Before each round, each team designates 1-2 skirmishers. On a first command, the skirmishers start into the playing field. Shortly after the two skirmishers (groups) make contact with their weapons, the teams start on a second command („And go!“) and run into the playing field. The remaining group wins.

What is trained:
Speed, skirmishing, gaining space, organization & communication.

People: 10<

(Tunnel)

You need a line and a punshing group. Both groups should be about equal in strength. The punshing group tries to break the line getting at least 1/3 of their fighters through. The line tries to evade the punsh, preferably by forming a tunnel.

What is trained: Punshing and tunneling

Fighters: 28-80

(Speerküste)

You need one spears-only group and one group with one hand weapons and shields. That's it, fight!

What is trained:
The spears practice to open the shields and to keep the right distance as well as slowing down the assault of the other group. The other group practices to get past the spears. This works best in close order.

Fighters: 7-50

(Läufersturm)

You need two teams, one approximately twice the size of the other. The bigger group decides on a commander. The commander does not fight, his task is commanding only. The smaller group is made out of runners who should cooperate but act on their own.

What is trained:
The bigger group practices to get rid of the last opposing survivors after the main battle, the commander has to react to diffrent situations and guide his team, the runners learn to fight in a short-handed situation.

Fighters: 7-25

(Einsame Wölfe)

There is one lone wolf for every 2-3 players. To establish them in the game, everyone lines up in a circle facing outward. A game leader then goes around the inside of the circle and selects the appropriate number of wolves from the circle. On the „Go!“ from the game leader, everyone then calls out their task (wolves or hunters) and the battle begins. Usual values 3vs1, 4vs2, 5vs2.

What is trained:
Organization in chaos situation, Communication in chaos, Dynamic fighting in uncertain situations.

Persons: Game Master + 4<

(Grenzwache)

First you need two groups: The border guard and the runners.
The Guards are one fighter short of twice as much as the runners (G=R*2-1). The guards have to defend a line and are not supposed to leave the line by more than 2 m. The runners win if one of them manages to cross the border.

What is trained: The guards practice to guard a certain area (rear guard), the runners train to break through.

Fighters: 5-14

(Du kommst nicht vorbei!)

Variant of the Border Guard game (different division of groups and no line binding, so more chaos and therefore easier for the attacking team).

Fighters are divided into three equal groups. One team consists of one group and the other team consists of two groups. The playing field is rectangular and quite large. The teams each start at their back baseline. The goal of the smaller team is to have one fighter reach the opponent's baseline. The larger team has won when the small group is completely defeated.

What is trained:
Dynamics & speed as a runner, coordination of defense & runner-. Catching, communication of the teams

People: 6-12

(Formationszirkel mit Läufern)

This game is a circle of dishonor with three teams fighting each other. The teams should be about equal in strength. To make things more interesseting add some runners who belong to no team.
The last surviving team wins. Whether the runners survive or not does not matter.
The runners win if the last team is smaller than the remaining runners.

What is trained:
tactic movement with regard to the other groups (like in the triangle), having a rearguard

Variations:

• 4 or 5 equal groups
• no runners

Fighters: 27-150

(Formationszirkel mit festen Bündnissen)

Basically this is a circle of dishonor, only instead of single fighters you got teams fighting each other. First, divide into six groups of equal strength and form a circle. Your group and the one directly across are allied. At the start of the game, try to get your team together without loosing fighters.
In the end, the remaining team wins.

Variations:

• divide into 8 or 10 groups, so you get 4 or 5 teams respectively
• try 9 or 12 groups, with 3 groups beeing in one team
• add runners

What is trained:
Staying together, coordination, moving the whole groupe at once
keeping track of the enemy teams
integration of groups into one team
maneuvering a big group

Fighters: 36-200