Handkerchief Tag Game

Mendil Kapmaca is one of Turkey’s traditional children’s games and has evolved into a competitive team sport played in inter-class tournaments with officially standardized rules. The objective of the game is to retrieve the handkerchief placed at the center and reach one’s own side without being tagged by the opposing player. Attention, agility, speed, and strategy are paramount in this game.

Playing Field and Equipment

Mendil Kapmaca can be played on open fields or indoor sports halls. The playing surface must be flat and may consist of parquet, grass, or soil. The field is rectangular, measuring 28 meters by 15 meters.

At the exact center of the field is a circular neutral zone with a diameter of 3.60 meters. This area is where the handkerchief is placed and where players move to retrieve it. If both players reach the neutral zone simultaneously, the right to take the handkerchief is granted to the attacking player. A player who has taken the handkerchief may not be tagged while still within the neutral zone.

The field also features a substitution line, marked as the sideline adjacent to the table referee’s position. All lines on the field are 5 cm in width. Special areas are designated on both sides of the table referee for substitute players.

Team Structure

Competitions are held between mixed-gender class teams. Each team consists of a maximum of 14 players: 10 starting players (5 girls and 5 boys) and 4 substitutes. Additionally, each team includes one team captain and one assistant team captain. A team must field at least 10 players; if fewer than 10 players are available, the team is automatically disqualified. Substitute players must remain in their designated substitution area.

Game Rules

The game is played best-of-three sets. The team that wins two sets wins the match. Each team is entitled to two one-minute timeouts per set. A five-minute rest period is granted between sets. Teams are given a 15-minute warm-up period before the match begins.

At the start of each set, it is determined by a traditional selection method which team will attack or defend. This process follows these steps:

1. The team that correctly answers the question “Which hand is the coin in?” gains the right to initiate the step-counting sequence.
2. A reciprocal foot-stamping sequence, reciting “I took, I gave, I defeated you...,” determines field selection.
3. The chief referee sets the distance for the stepping sequence. Each player may use half a step once.
4. The player whose foot remains on top at the end of the sequence wins and gains the selection right.

The team that wins the selection right chooses either the attack or defense role for the set. The attacking team must attempt to retrieve the handkerchief. The defending team may also attempt to retrieve it if they wish. However, if no player retrieves the handkerchief within 30 seconds, the attacking player is disqualified.

Game Flow

• At the start of each set, the team captain informs the table referee of the players’ order. This order cannot be changed during the set.
• Competing players position themselves in the starting area upon the referee’s signal.
• The game begins with the referee’s whistle and foot stomp, initiating a 30-second attack period, which is announced aloud with a countdown.
• If the player who retrieves the handkerchief crosses their own baseline, their team scores one point and the opposing player is disqualified.
• If the player who retrieves the handkerchief is tagged by the opponent, the tagging player’s team scores one point and the handkerchief retriever is disqualified.
• If the handkerchief falls to the ground, both players may run to retrieve it; the first to cross the baseline wins.
• Tagging may only be done by touching with the hand; tagging with the foot results in disqualification.
• A player who retrieves the handkerchief may not be tagged until they have left the neutral zone.
• Players are disqualified for line violations or leaving the playing area.
• If two players collide within the neutral zone, the defending player is disqualified.
• If a player falls unintentionally, the play is repeated on the first occurrence; on the second occurrence, the tag is considered valid.
• Players are prohibited from touching the referee during play.

Scoring and Set Win

• A team wins the set if it disqualifies all 10 opposing players.
• The match is played best-of-three sets. The team that wins two sets wins the match.
• At the start of the third set, the “I took, I gave” counting sequence is repeated.

Player Substitutions and Discipline

• Each team may make a maximum of four player substitutions per set.
• A substituted player may not re-enter the game during the same set.
• Substitutions must maintain gender balance.
• A yellow and red card system is in place. A yellow card is issued for unsportsmanlike conduct by the team captain; a second offense results in a red card and disqualification.
• Referee decisions are final and may not be contested.

Equipment

• Players must wear a jersey, shorts, socks, knee pads, and sports shoes designed for indoor use.
• Uniforms must be clean, matching, and numbered.
• Numbers must be at least 10 cm high on the front and 15 cm high on the back.
• The handkerchief must be 30x30 cm in size, made of satin, and of a single color.
• For safety reasons, players must remove jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, watches, and brooches.
• Glasses and contact lenses may be worn only at the player’s own responsibility and with parental consent for players under 18 years of age.

Health and Safety

• In case of injury, the referee stops the game and calls for medical personnel onto the field.
• If no substitution is available, the injured player is granted a three-minute recovery period. This right may be used only once per player.
• If a player remains seated on the field without leaving it, the match continues.