7 or more players aged 5 and up, played indoors and outdoors.

All players but one, must get into a crab shape, up on their feet and hands, stomach facing upwards. The other player is it and may run around upright, with a medium-sized rubber ball. The purpose is for the it to gently hit the other players with the ball, but only from between the neck to the knee. The crabs may hit the ball away by kicking or heading it. However, they may only hit the ball if it is aimed at them.

The it cannot run with the ball, and if the ball is knocked away by a crab, the it must throw it from where the ball lands.

If the it player succeeds in hitting the crab out, the crab becomes it and the game continues. The game could be made more exciting by having two players being it and using two balls.