Invasion

Crossover

Crossover is an invasion game for physical education in which students need to make their way through their opponents' territory, and into the goal area without getting tagged. Which team gets there first? That's the fun of the game!

https://youtu.be/TjIBx7Ooi1I

Learning Targets

I can move through my opponent's territory without being tagged.
I know how to create space for myself in order to move past opponents.
I understand how to determine which play to make based on the game situation.

Game Overview

Play Area
  • The playing area is set up in two halves, with each half having a goal area at its back end. Each team is assigned to one half of the playing area, but their goal area is on the opposite side, at the back of their opponent's half.
Goal
  • Get every player on your team standing inside your goal area.
Play
  • The playing area is split into two halves, each with a goal area at its back end. Each team is assigned to one half, but their goal area sits at the back of their opponent's half.
  • On the teacher's signal, the game begins.
  • Once a player crosses the centre line, they can be tagged by members of the opposing team. A tagged player must freeze where the tag took place.
  • Frozen players can be unfrozen in two ways. A player who has already reached their goal area can give up their position, take the frozen player's hand, and return with them to their own half.
  • Alternatively, a player can come across from their own half, take the frozen player's hand, and return with them.
  • The game ends when every player from a team is standing inside their goal area.

Equipment

  • Pinnies
  • Cones

Safety

Remind students should keep their heads up when running

Game Builds

Builds allow you to increase the game's complexity, one layer at a time.

1
Build
1

Goal Zones

Teams stand in their zones. On the teacher's signal, Team A runs across their opponents' territory and into their goal zone. On the next signal, Team A returns to their own zone.

While Team A is running, Team B remains frozen and does not attempt to block their passage.

Repeat the process with Team B running and Team A remaining frozen in their half.

Discussion Questions

  • What was the fastest route across to your goal zone?
  • Now that you have run it unopposed, where do you think you will get tagged?
2
Build
2

Crossover

Now that teams understand the limits of the game and how to win, by having their entire team make it to their goal zone, play the game with the full rules.

Discussion Questions

  • When was it worth giving up your spot in the goal zone to free a teammate?
  • What did your team do to create space for each other crossing over?
  • How did your team decide who would go and who would rescue?
Get #PhysEdU Plus
This sheet  ($4)

Away on Thursday?

Print the game sheet, leave it on your desk, and your sub has everything they need: the diagrams, the builds in order, what to say, and what to watch for. This one is $4. #PhysEdU Plus members get all 39, free forever, for $49 a year.

More
Invasion
Games

Games that build on the same tactics.

Invasion

Benchball

Benchball is an invasion game in which teams score by kicking the ball into the face of their opponent's bench. Students learn to work toward a shared team goal, first without positions and then with assigned roles that depend on each other.

Invasion

Bottle Ball

Bottle Ball is an invasion game where teams defend a two-litre water bottle instead of a net. Every goal knocks the bottle over and spills some water, so the scoreboard sits right there on the field for everyone to see.

Invasion

Crossover

Crossover is an invasion game for physical education in which students need to make their way through their opponents' territory, and into the goal area without getting tagged. Which team gets there first? That's the fun of the game!

The #PhysEd Newsletter

Teaching ideas, every other week. Free.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
ThePhysicalEducator.com
© 2026