Editing Capture the flag (section)

===Variants===
Alterations may include "one flag" Capture the Flag in which there is a defensive team and an offensive team, or games with three or more flags. In the case of the latter, one can only win when all flags are captured.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-13 |title=II: Capture the Flag Variations |url=https://www.starluxgames.com/capture-the-flag/ii-variations/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Starlux Games |language=en}}</ref>

Another variation is when the players put bandannas in their pockets with about six inches sticking out. Instead of tagging opponents, players must pull their opponent's bandanna out of their pocket. No matter where a player is when their bandanna is pulled, they're captured and must either go to jail or return to their base before returning to play. In this version there is no team territory, only a small base where the team's flag is kept. To win, one team must have both of the flags in their base.{{cn|date=June 2023}}

In some urban settings, the game is played indoors in an enclosed area with walls. There is also an area in the opposing ends for the flag to be placed in. In this urban variation legal [[checking (ice hockey)|checking]] as in [[ice hockey|hockey]], including against the sideboards, is allowed.{{cn|date=June 2023}} A player who commits a [[Foul (sports)|foul]] or illegal check is placed in a [[penalty box]] for a specified amount of time, depending on the severity of the foul. A player who deliberately injures an opponent is expelled from the rest of the game.{{cn|date=June 2023}} Throwing the flag is allowed in this variation, as long as the flag is caught before it hits the ground.{{cn|date=June 2023}} If the flag is thrown to a teammate but hits the ground before it can be caught, the flag is placed from the spot of the throw. If a player throws the flag, but is blocked or intercepted by a player from the opposing team, the flag is placed back at the base.

It is not uncommon for people to play airsoft, paintball, or Nerf variations of Capture the Flag.{{cn|date=June 2023}} Typically there are no territories in these versions. Players who are "hit" must sit out a predetermined amount of time before returning to play (respawning).

====Stealing sticks====
"Stealing sticks" is a similar game played in the British Isles, the United States, and Australia. However, instead of a flag, a number of sticks or other items such as coats or hats are placed in a "goal" on the far end of each side of the playing field or area. As in Capture the Flag, players are sent to a "prison" if tagged on the opponents' side, and may be freed by teammates. Each player may only take one of their opponents' sticks at a time. The first team to take all of the opponents' sticks to their own side wins.<ref>[[Jessie H. Bancroft]] (1909). "[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25660/25660-h/25660-h.htm#Page_188 Stealing Sticks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924211547/http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25660/25660-h/25660-h.htm#Page_188 |date=2015-09-24 }}". ''Games for the playground, home, school, and gymnasium''. Retrieved August 7, 2014.</ref><ref>"[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19320603&id=2BsUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nJYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6067,2613481 The Game of Stealing Sticks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418212752/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19320603&id=2BsUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nJYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6067%2C2613481 |date=2020-04-18 }}". ''[[The Age]]''.  June 3, 1932. Retrieved August 7, 2014.</ref>