By: Elle Shi, Grade 8
Most people have played tag at some point in their lives, but few would imagine that a simple recess game could become a professional sport. World Chase Tag (WCT) has done exactly that by transforming tag into a fast-paced competition that combines speed, strategy, agility, and athleticism.
World Chase Tag was created in 2012 by Christian Devaux after playing tag with his son in his backyard. His brother, Damien Devaux, later joined him, and together they developed the rules and the distinctive obstacle course known as the Quad. These informal games and meet-ups eventually grew into organized international competitions.
The game itself is simple to understand but difficult to master. Two athletes enter the Quad for a 20-second chase. One athlete is the Chaser, whose goal is to tag the other competitor, while the Evader must use speed, quick reactions, and creative movement to avoid being caught. If the Evader successfully avoids the Chaser for the entire 20 seconds, their team earns a point. Official matches can contain up to sixteen consecutive chases, so every round is important.
Unlike ordinary tag, World Chase Tag takes place in a standardized arena filled with obstacles. Athletes can jump, duck, and climb to escape their opponents. The sport is heavily influenced by parkour, but success also depends on strategy. A single unexpected movement or change in direction can completely change the trajectory of the Chaser.
World Chase Tag has grown from a backyard idea into an international organization with competitions, rankings, licensed training locations, and athletes from around the world. According to the organization, it now has licensed Quads across multiple continents and billions of lifetime views.
World Chase Tag proves that almost any familiar game can become something bigger with creativity and organization. By turning one of the world’s oldest childhood games into a competitive sport, WCT has created an exciting new way for athletes and fans to experience the simple challenge of tag, don’t get caught.
