When I saw this being promoted by RHS Rams Cheerleading, it reminded me of Sock Wrestling that we played at various playschemes. Sock Snatchers, however, differs by being a free-for-all, allowing everybody to play at the same time.

Considerations and equipment

It is dependent on everybody having a pool noodle(1). I guess if you don’t have access loads of pool noodles, you could consider playing this in a similar fashion to Tail Tally. Alternatively using long cardboard tubes or long stiff tubes made from paper. The rough and tumble nature of the game, however, means that any tube needs to be able to withstand a lot of grabbing, pulling, knocks, etc.

It also needs a lot of space.

Play

Unfortunately, RHS Rams Cheerleading don’t give any rules with their post, so the rules provided here are based on what is visible in the short video they provide.

Sock Snatch could be played just between 2 people, but the more players there are, the more fun it becomes. Suitable for large groups, where there is enough space for them all to run around.

Each player gets a pool noodle with sock stuck over one end. They then stick the other end of the pool noodle down the back of their tops, so the noodle sticks out from behind their necks. A bit like walking around with a flexible aerial with a sock on top :-).

To start, players stand in a circle, facing outwards, in the middle of the room. On the given signal players break away from the circle and attempt to remove the sock from other players, while trying to avoid having their sock taken. When socks are taken players have to leave the game.

In the version played in the video, the game is played in rounds, with those who have had their socks taken having to sit out future rounds. Although its not explained how a round is determined. We can think of two methods:

  • Time limit each round. All those still with socks on at the end of 1 or 2 minutes go into the next round.
  • Self determining. Once a player loses a sock, they drop out and the player who took it stops as well, but player who was successful goes into the next round.

An alternative is to have no time limit and play is just continuous with players just leaving the game once their sock has been snatched.

If you don’t have access to pool noodles, consider playing this like Tail Tally so that socks stick out of the waistband of trousers/shorts/skirts. If that’s not possible because of what players are wearing, consider using makeshift rope belts, etc.

(1) Pool Noodle – These a flexible waterproof cylinders that can float in water. They are about 6cm (2.4″) in diameter and 1.5m (59″) long made of a lightweight closed-cell foam, such as EVA or polyethylene.