Hopscotch
- For the 1980 movie, see Hopscotch (movie). For the Julio Cortázar novel, see Hopscotch (novel).
Hopscotch originated in Britain during the early Roman Empire. It was initially designed as a training regimen for Roman foot soldiers who ran the course in full armor and field packs as it was thought that Hopscotch would improve their footwork. Roman children imitated the soldiers by drawing their own boards and creating a scoring system, and "Hopscotch" spread throughout Europe.
There are many other forms of hopscotch played across the globe. In Malaysia, it is known as ting-ting or ketengteng.
Rules
The first player tosses her marker into the first square. The marker must land completely within the designated square and without touching a line or bouncing out. If the marker lands in the wrong square, the player forfeits her turn. If the marker is successful, the player hops through the court beginning on square one. Side by side the squares are straddled, with the left foot landing in the left square, and the right foot landing in the right square. Single squares must be hopped on one foot. For the first single square, either foot may be used. Squares marked "Safe" "Home" or "Rest" are neutral squares, and may be hopped through in any manner without penalty.
When a player reaches the end of the court, she turns around and hops back through the court, moving through the squares in reverse order and stopping to pick up her marker on the way back. Upon successfully completing the sequence, the player continues his turn by tossing his marker into square number two, and repeating the pattern.
If while hopping through the court in either direction, the player steps on a line, misses a square, or loses her balance, her turn ends. The player starts on her next turn where the player last left off. The first player to complete one course for every numbered square on the court wins the game.
Variations
One hopscotch variant is known as "Snail". It is best played with at least three players. A large snail shell spiral is drawn on the street/playing area, roughly five or so feet in diameter finishing with a circle in the center, marked "Home". After drawing the spiral, mark off squares within, roughly the same size as the players' feet. Players take turns hopping on one foot on each of the squares, finishing at the "Home" circle. If the player makes it to "Home" without stepping on a line, losing balance and falling off the board, etc, he or she may choose any square to mark with their name as his. This square can then be used by that player as a resting spot, where they can stand on two feet. However, all other players must hop over any marked square which is not their own. If a player steps on a line, loses balance, accidentally rests on someone else's space, their turn is over until next time. Game play ends when all squares have been marked, and the winner is the person who "owns" the most number of squares.
External link
- The bulk of this information was sourced at http://www.streetplay.com/thegames/hopscotch.htm. Please go to the link for further information.ca:Xarranca
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