If you’re playing Nerf assassins, you’ve probably noticed small changes in your behavior, like noticing unusual cars parked down the street or seeing someone following in the car behind you. You’ve tapped into your hunter-gatherer traits given to you by your ancient prehistoric ancestors.

While playing this game myself I’ve not only walked into a new world of anxiety but I’ve become more aware of my surroundings.

Nerf assassins basically prepares teens for a zombie apocalypse or another world war. While there are many criticisms about the game’s reckless nature, I can attest to seven lessons I have learned while playing. Many of these lessons can’t be taught in high school math classes or by watching the Hunger Games. Experience is everything.

1. The world runs on alliances and allies. As we know from history class, the United States government is made up of treaties, verbal agreements and negotiations. You are constantly figuring out what you want and who can help you get the job done. When it comes to forming outside allies, you think about who you know, how close they are to your target and if they can get you information about someone’s whereabouts.

2. Keeping a low profile is essential. This means keeping any and all personal information at arm’s reach. Don’t tell everyone what time you’re getting home or where you’ll be on a Friday night (trust no one.) Chances are someone is listening, and the next thing you know, you have assassins waiting for you outside.  Keeping a low profile also goes for stake-outs. Knowing how to blend in with the general area and how to quietly hide behind some bushes is crucial for success.

3. Nowhere is safe. Assassins proves anyone can figure out where you are, so turn off the locations on your phone. You can be at Chipotle minding your own business and BAM! Here comes some kid with a Nerf gun. However, what were you doing at Chipotle when you’re playing assassins!? Not only can you find out where someone lives, but you can also discover where their friends, parents or significant other lives, as well as where they work. Overall, it’s a good lesson of privacy. A hundred teenagers may be stalking people, but they’re conscious about who is getting all their information.

4. Always keep your doors locked. I find many people who live in the suburbs keep all their doors unlocked, probably thinking no one is going to break into their car or house. However, many players have gotten killed during the game because their car door was unlocked or their window was all the way down. You’ll just have to suffer through the heat until you reach your destination.

5. Strategy is key. Knowing how to come at a problem in order to get the outcome you want is an important life skill. This happens if you’re staking out someone’s house, because you always need a plan of action in any situation. Sure, knocking on the door sounds nice, but you won’t get the result you want. You need to have one person in front, one in the back, a getaway car and someone to stay behind for when your target thinks you’ve left.

6. Sometimes you have to get dirty. (Not in a sexual way!) In other words, you have to know how to pick and choose your battles. Is it worth sitting two hours in the rain waiting for a kid to get home? Probably. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices in order to get what we want.

7. Play by the rules and use them to your advantage. It’s no fun being disqualified, so understanding your limits will benefit you and will help you stay in the game. Knowing the rules can also put you at an advantage when playing. For example, many players think they’re safe 30 minutes before their shift at work when really that rule only applies if you’re on a bike.

All in all, you learn anything can happen. It’s all about being prepared and knowing how to strategize. If you’re still playing, congratulations, if not, you probably let your guard down.