Good sportsmanship is a core trait of the Morse Pond Code (Take Care of Self, Others, and School). Good sportsmanship should be displayed at all times. The following rules must be followed:

• Know and follow the school rules. 
• Be respectful of all recess staff.
• Play to the best of your ability and treat peers with respect.
• Be a good team player who is able to lead, follow, and include all students who want to participate in an activity.
• Be courteous and gracious whether you win or lose.
• Use A.C.T. and W.I.S.E. (Michigan Model anti-bullying curriculum) in situations where you are disagreeing with another student. Find an adult to help you. 

• Be careful how you move around at recess.
• No tackling, shoving, or other physical activity.
• Do not grab or pull other students’ clothing.
• Stay within the defined recess area.
• No eating or gum chewing allowed.
• Check out with an adult before going to the bathroom.

1.    Four-Square

• Squares are numbered 1, 2, 3, & 4.
• Serve always starts from square 1.
• Play continues until one player fails to return the ball or commits a fault.
• No catching or carrying the ball.
• If there are more than (4) players, students should wait in line until their turn. All students wishing to play must be included.
• Play is based on an honor system. Involve a staff member as needed.
• Players not following the rules will be removed from the game.

2.    Soccer

• Captains need to rotate. No student can be captain twice in the same week.
• If students are unable to manage the selection of teams, a staff member will assist.
• No switching teams, tackling, tripping, grabbing, pushing or shoving.
• No hanging on the soccer nets.
• If a ball leaves the field of play, it is out-of-bounds at the point of exit and will be thrown in by the other team.
• If hands are used, possession switches to the other team.
• Each team must field a goalie.
• Drop kicking is only allowed by a goalie.
• Play is based on an honor system. Involve a staff member as needed.
• Players not following the rules will be removed from the game.

3.    Touch Football

• Football is played on the grass field only.
• Teams should be equal and inclusive of all students wishing to play. No more than 5 on 5. If there are too many students, split into two groups and play (2) separate games. If time permits, the teams can switch for a second game.
• No tackling, grabbing, or pulling of others or their clothing.
• Two-hand touch only.
• Play is based on an honor system. Involve a staff member as needed.
• Players not following the rules will be removed from the game.

4.    Basketball

• Games can be full or half court.
• Teams should be equal and inclusive of all students wishing to play.
• If there are too many students, split into two groups and play (2) half court games.
• No grabbing, tripping, or wrestling for the ball.
• Possession is based on an honor system, if it goes out of bounds, a foul committed, or any other rule violation, it is expected that students use the honor system.
• Involve a staff member as needed.
• Players not following the rules will be removed from the game.

5.    Playground

• Students will not stand on the round rotating toy.
• Students will not ride in the baby swings.
• Jumping from the big toy more than two rows up is prohibited.

6.    Kickball

• Follow slow pitch rules.
• Teams should be equal and inclusive of all students wishing to play.
• Maintain batting order; start where the inning left off.
• Teams should switch at four runs or three outs, whichever comes first.
• No strikes, bunting, stealing, or leading.
• Ties always go to the runner.
• Runners must touch all bases.
• Pitcher plays entire inning; pitchers should change at the beginning of each inning.
• Play is based on an honor system. Involve a staff member as needed.
• Players not following the rules will be removed from the game.

7.    Tag

• Tag is played on the grass field only and is at the discretion of the on-duty staff.
• Teams should be equal and inclusive of all students wishing to play. No more than 5 on 5. If there are too many students, split into two groups and play (2) separate games.
• No tackling, pushing, grabbing, or pulling of others or their clothing.
• Play is based on an honor system. Involve a staff member as needed.
• Players not following the rules will be removed from the game.

8.    Gaga Ball Pit & Rules

• Maximum amount of students is 12
• To start, everyone in the pit must be touching the wall. Someone tosses the ball in the center of the pit and it must bounce TWICE on the ground. As it bounces, everyone cheers "Ga" for each bounce. After the second bounce ("Ga-Ga") the ball is live.
• Slap-hit the ball with your hand, aiming it at another player's leg at the knee or below. If the ball hits or touches anyone at the knee or below, that player is out and must exit the pit. At any time, if a player makes any type of contact with the ball at the knee or below, that player is out.
• Anytime the ball goes out of the pit, the last person that ball touched is out.
• You can only hit the ball one time until it either touches another player or the wall, then you are able to hit it again. You can bounce the ball against the wall to position it if necessary; and, you can move around anywhere inside the pit during the game.

9.    Walking

• Students are encouraged to stay active. If a student wishes to walk during recess that is acceptable. They must stay within the fence and should find a walking partner if able.

Additional games may be added during recess at the approval of an administrator.