The Most Dangerous Game

Have you heard? Bird is the word! More specifically, The Birdman is the word.

The Birdman Game is a game of honor, skill, and minor inconvenience. It can be played with as little as two players and no upper limits on the maximum amount of players. It can be initiated anywhere and at any time (some exceptions apply, see Rule#13). Those who stare into the eyes of The Birdman must suffer the penalty. Those who refuse lose their honor and suffer shame. Once you play, you play for life.

I have searched the internet and their are a few posts on how to play The Birdman Game. I have even noticed that someone recently posted a wikipedia article on the subject. My post is far superior to these because I was introduced to The Birdman directly by one of it's 3 founding members. As such, I have compiled below a list of the rules for those who wish to play...the most dangerous game!

Rules of The Birdman Game:

1) Any player who looks at another player who is in the Birdman position (pictured above) must lie flat on their back, regardless of where they happen to be or what they happen to be doing. (Note: There is no specific length of time that a player has to lie down once attacked. As soon as the player lies fully down on their back they are free to get up again)

2) If however the player who is under attack manages to throw up the block sign before looking at the attacking player, he or she has blocked the Birdman attempt successfully and does not have to lie down.

3) A player who has been successfully birdmanned may take a total of 3 steps before lying down.

4) When two players Birdman each other, the effect is cancelled out and neither player has to lie down.

5) If a player is birdmanned while driving, he or she must get out of the car and lie down at the first possible opportunity.

6) Birdmans may be stacked based on quantity of attacks. For example, if a player is birdmanned more than once before laying down right away, then they may be stacked at intervals of 5 seconds each to a total maximum of 9 times. In other words, if someone is birdmanned 9 times before laying down, they must then lay down for a total of 45 seconds. The stacking rule also applies to group attacks, ie. If someone is birdmanned by multiple players then that person must lay down for a total of 5 seconds per attacker.

7) Peripherals may be used to detect an attack. As long as no direct eye contact is made the player who is under attack does not need to lie down. Abuse of peripherals however will lead to an indefinite suspension from play. Multiple abuses may result in a lifetime ban.

8) When a person looks at himself in the mirror while in the Birdman position, that person must lie down. This is known as "suicide".

9) Pictures, videos, and drawings are all legal. For example, if someone sends you an email attachment of themselves doing The Birdman and you look at it, you must immediately lie down.

10) If a player is already laying down and is successfully birdmanned, they must stand up before they can continue lying down.

11) If player 1 watches player 2 get into the birdman position with the intent of birdmanning player 1, player 1 does not have to get on the ground. However, according my friend who is a proven founding member of the game, player 1 may in fact be birdmanned while watching player 2 go into the birdman position with the intentions of attacking player 1. However, it is not important if this rule is played the original or the modified way. Whichever way is generally accepted among a group of players in a given area is ok to play.

12) The Birdman Game is a game that shatters ethnic, cultural, gender, and social barriers. No one may be denied the right to participate.

13) Play can be suspended for a limited time. For instance, if a group of players belong to church or are coworkers at their place of employment, gameplay may be temporarily halted. However, all members must unanimously agree to any such suspension of play.

Let the games begin!