Push-up Tag | Friends | WorkOnFitness

Quick Intro

Push-up Tag is played face to face in the push-up position. Both partners do push-ups at their own pace. At the top of a rep, either one may lift a hand off the floor and try to tap the other person’s hand before putting it back down. The first to an agreed number of taps wins.

How to do a good push-up is covered at Push-up. This guide covers the game, where the skill is less about push-up strength and more about staying steady on three points while you reach.

What You’ll Need

A clear patch of floor for two people facing each other in a push-up position.
A mat each if the floor is hard on the hands.

How to Play

Agree the target number of taps, such as five.
Set up in the push-up position facing each other, heads toward each other, close enough that a straight arm can reach your partner’s hands.
On “go”, both do push-ups at your own pace.
At the top of a rep, with the arms straight, you may lift one hand and try to tap one of your partner’s hands. Put the hand back down straight away.
Every clean tap scores a point. Your partner can try to tap you at the top of their reps too.
First to the target wins.

What Counts

A push-up counts when it goes down to the agreed depth and back up with the body in a straight line.

A tap counts when:

it is made from the top of a full push-up;
it is a light touch on the back of your partner’s hand;
you keep your body steady on three points while you reach.

You may lift only one hand at a time, and only briefly. Grabbing or pulling your partner’s wrist is not allowed. A tap that drops your hips or knocks you off balance does not count.

Steady on Three Points

The hard part of Push-up Tag is the moment you lift a hand. Your weight shifts onto the other arm and both feet, and your hips want to twist or drop. To stay steady:

spread the feet a little wider than usual, which makes the base bigger;
brace the core before lifting the hand;
move the hand quickly but without lunging.

Your partner faces the same problem when they reach, which is when their hands are easiest to tap. If both of you start wobbling, slow the game down until you can reach without it.

Making It Fair

A weaker partner can do knee push-ups while the stronger partner stays in the full position. The taps are still on the hands, which stay on the floor in both positions, so the game works the same. Set the gap between you so both can reach the other’s hands, and agree the handicap before starting. More on fair contests is in Training With a Friend.

Staying Safe

Keep the supporting elbow soft. Locking the elbow of the arm on the floor while you reach puts strain on it and on the wrist.
Do not rush the reach. A quick, wild swipe is how wrists get jarred.
Stop if a shoulder feels unstable at any point in the rep.
Agree to contact on the hands before starting.

Common Mistakes

Half push-ups. Tapping is only allowed from the top of a full rep. Shallow reps to get more chances do not count.
Starting too close. Heads too close together means hands and faces in each other’s way. Leave enough room to reach without crowding.
Hips sagging on the reach. If your hips drop when you lift a hand, that tap does not count. Widen the feet.

Fitting It Into a Session

Push-up Tag works the chest, shoulders and arms, plus the core. It suits the first half of a session. Keep it away from a plank duel or another push-up game straight after, so the second game is not decided by tired shoulders.

Mountain Climber Tag is a similar face-to-face game in the plank position.
Squat Tag is a standing tag game for the legs.
Clap Push-up Sync does push-ups side by side in time with each other.
Rep Bet and Gamble Games include a push-up version where each person bids on their own reps.

FAQ

Can we use the knees?

Yes, either for both partners or as a handicap for one. Agree it before the first round.

Which hand should I tap with?

Either. Many people find it steadier to tap with the weaker hand, so the stronger arm is the one holding them up.

What if we keep crashing hands?

Slow down and take turns reaching: one person reaches on their rep while the other stays still, and then the other way round.

Related to Push-up, Mountain Climber Tag and Clap Push-up Sync.