Keep phrasing free of the words You, Your or I. The following examples illustrate the proper use of tag phrasing in the second line of each.

I will tag you if you keep your leg straight. [INCORRECT]

The tag point is… leg straight [CORRECT]

I will tag you if you put your dish in the sink. [INCORRECT]

The tag point is… dish in sink [CORRECT]

You need to have your hands folded on the desk. [INCORRECT]

The tag point is… hands folded on desk [CORRECT]

“I will tag you if you keep your leg straight” sounds too much like bribery or coercion. Objective phrasing keeps the focus on the task not the person, and it keeps emotion out of the teaching process. Learners are much less likely to feel judged by the teacher if the wording is kept neutral. There is no bribery in TAGteach. Your tag points should be stated without the implication that the tag is a carrot being dangled in front of the student.

Here are some other examples:

You need to concentrate on your own work [INCORRECT]

The tag point is… eyes on paper [CORRECT]

If you squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom I will tag. [INCORRECT]

The tag point is… squeeze from bottom [CORRECT]