The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RED ROVER

THIS GAME IS PLAYED BY CHOOSING UP SIDES. THEN THE
TEAMS FACE EACH OTHER ABOUT TWENTY FEET APART AND LOCK
(HOLD) HANDS WITH THE TEAMMATE NEXT TO YOU. YOU
THEN HAVE TWO PARALLEL LINES OF PLAYERS. THE CAPTAIN
OF ONE TEAM YELLS OUT: "RED ROVER, RED ROVER, SEND
(NAME) RIGHT OVER." THEN THAT PERSON LETS GO OF HIS
TEAMMATES AND TRIES TO RUN THROUGH THE HANDGRIP OF
ANY TWO MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSING TEAM. IF HE RUNS
THROUGH AND BREAKS THE GRIP, HE GETS TO BRING BACK A
PLAYER TO HIS TEAM. IF HE CANNOT BREAK THE GRIP, HE
STAYS ON THAT TEAM. THE LOSER IS THE MAN WHO IS ALONE
ON HIS TEAM.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1967