How to play Hopscotch

By rpr, on 13-12-2007 17:47

How to play Hopscotch

Objective

The objective of the game is to be the first to finish hopping through each of the squares in the hopscotch court with the marker.

Court Layout

The playing court may have several variants. A typical hopscotch court consists of eight squares and one semicircle. The sides of each square are 18 inches in length. The squares are numbered in sequence from 1 to 8. The first, second ,fifth and eighth squares are single squares while the third, fourth and sixth, seventh squares are drawn side by side. The semicircle is drawn at the end of the eighth square.

Game Description

The Game begins with the first player tossing the marker into the first square. The marker must land inside the square without touching any lines or bouncing outside that square. If the marker lands in the wrong square or bounces off , the player forfeits his turn. If the toss is successful , the player hops the court on one foot skipping the square that has the marker in it. The squares drawn side by side are straddled with left foot in the left square and right foot in the right square.

Once a player reaches the semi circle , he turns around and makes his way back hopping through the sequence of squares. After completing one sequence , the player tosses the marker to the second square and repeats the process. The player who completes hopping through every square in the court first wins the game.

Rules

The marker must land completely within the square and must not touch any lines.

Each single square in the court must be hopped on one foot.

For two squares drawn next to each other, the player can put one foot in each square simultaneously.

Squares marked neutral or home can be hopped through in any way the player chooses to hop through them.

During hopping through the sequence of squares, if the player steps on any lines , skips any square, hops into a square with the marker in it or loses balance and lands the other foot in a single square or outside the court , his turn ends.

During his next turn , the player starts from where he left off.

The player must pick up the marker on his way back.

Strategy, Skills, and Tactics

Players can improve their skills by practicing the game often. As the game requires great balance and strong knees , the players need to exercise their muscles. Stretching exercises help in preventing cramps and muscular injuries during the game. Practicing hopping and balancing the body on one foot also helps the players to jump from one square to another without losing balance. To make sure that the marker lands in the correct square , accuracy in throwing is important. It’s the player who exhibits a combination of great balance and good accuracy who wins the game.

Last update : 13-12-2007 17:47