Why do dogs try to anticipate your next move?

My Irish Terrier, Tramp, does this every time. I'll be running and then I'll freeze and stand still like a statue and then he will get into a "ready" position and stiffen up and he won't move. He'll stand still. He'll stare right at me like he's anticipating what I'm going to do next. After a few seconds, I'll take off running quickly and he'll be running right behind me. When I freeze again, he freezes. When I take off, he takes off. Why? Do dogs like this kind of game?