Guide To Hopscotch
by L Wiles - 2008-08-01
I remember playing hopscotch with my friends almost every recess when I was in grade school! Hopscotch is great exercise, promotes balance and aim while being a very social game. It also teaches kids about patience, waiting their turn and playing fair. It's fun, easy and basically free.
Hopscotch History
Hopscotch was created in ancient Britain where young children imitated foot soldiers of the early Roman Empire. In order to improve their foot work the soldiers ran a 100 foot long hopscotch like course in full armor and field packs. Children of the time turned it into a game by drawing their own boards (or layouts) and adding a scoring system.
The game of hopscotch spread across Europe and is now known by many names all over the world. In France the game of hopscotch is known as “Marelles”, in Germany hopscotch is called “Templehupfen”, in the Netherlands it's “Hinklebaan”, in India it's “Ekaria Dukaria, in Vietnam hopscotch is 'Pico”, in Argentina i'ts “Rayuela” and in Scotland hopscotch is known as “peever” or “beds”.
In America the game is widely known as hopscotch, but some old-time New Yorkers call it “potsie, pottsie or potsy. This may be because a discarded shoe heel (a potsie) was used as the marker.
No matter what the game we know as hopscotch is called or how it came to be almost everyone can agree that hopscotch is a fun, active game that has certainly stood the test of time.
Hopscotch Layouts
Now a days, hopscotch layouts are found painted on many school playgrounds, however it's easy to make your own hopscotch layout outside or even inside.
Standard sidewalk chalk works great for a quick, easy hopscotch layout on a sidewalk, driveway or patio. For a more permanent hopscotch layout we recommend making a stencil from cardboard or heavy duty paper then painting the hopscotch lines with a medium paint brush using an easy to see color such as white.
For inside hopscotch fun you can make the hopscotch layout using tape (painter's tape is good because it removes quite easily when you're done playing). This idea works best on hard flooring, not so good on carpet (although I suppose it's possible).
The basic hopscotch layout has sections, boxes approx. 18"x 18" to 24"x24" depending on the age and size of the people playing. The hopscotch boxes don't have to be exact, just make the hopscotch boxes big enough for a foot to easily land in and not so big as to be difficult to hop over. Remember to consider the foot size of all hopscotch players.
Hopscotch layouts vary and you can really create any variation you like. The hopscotch layout I remember from school was 3 single squares in a line (numbered 1,2,3) then a double square (numbered 4 and 5) then another single square (6) and another double square (7,8), then 2 single squares (9,10) and a rest circle at the end where you can turn around.
Hopscotch Markers
Each hopscotch player has a hopscotch marker of sorts; a stone; beanbag; bottle cap; shell; button or charm would be just a few possibilities. The hopscotch marker needs to be small and light enough to easily toss but heavy enough to not blow away in the wind. Place some pebbles in a handkerchief or other piece of fabric and tie with yarn or string.
Hopscotch Starting Line
The hopscotch starting line is the line that a hopscotch player stands behind while tossing their hopscotch marker. This can be the front line of the 1st square or you can make a distinct and separate hopscotch starting line a little farther back depending on the skill level of the hopscotch players.
How to Play Hopscotch
To start the game of hopscotch, a hopscotch player stands behind the hopscotch starting line to toss their hopscotch marker into square 1. If the hopscotch marker lands in the proper square without touching the lines the hopscotch player hops on one foot over the square with the hopscotch marker (in this case square 1) into square 2 continuing on into square 3. At the double square (4 and 5) the hopscotch player lands on both feet (one in square 4 the other in square 5). Then the hopscotch player hops on one foot to square 6 and another double land in 7 and 8, a hop into 9 then 10 and a final hop into the rest area. The land in the hopscotch rest area may be on both feet if desired. The hopscotch player can then easily turn around and hop the sequence back to the beginning pausing at square 2 to pick up the hopscotch marker in square 1. It is now the next hopscotch players turn.
This cycle continues until a hopscotch player has managed to successfully land the hopscotch marker in all boxes consecutively from 1 through 10 (or 1 through 10 and back to 1 depending on time and skill level).
A hopscotch player is out if any of the following are true:
- The hopscotch marker doesn't land in the proper square or the hopscotch marker lands touching a line.
- The hopscotch player steps on a line.
- The hopscotch player uses a hand to balance while picking up their hopscotch marker.
- The hopscotch player goes into a square where there is a hopscotch marker.
- The hopscotch player puts a second foot down in error such as two feet in a single box or even simply touching a toe down to regain balance.
If a hopscotch player is out, their turn stops immediately and they must re-do that square, meaning on the hopscotch player's next turn they will toss their hopscotch marker into the same square as their previously unsuccessful turn.
Hopscotch Rule Variations
A nice hopscotch rule variation when playing with younger or unskilled hopscotch players is to ignore the line rule so if a hopscotch player or hopscotch marker touches a line the hopscotch player does not lose their turn and they are able to continue their turn. You may also consider relaxing the hopscotch balance rule when a hopscotch player bends over to pick up their hopscotch marker. For example allow a young hopscotch player to steady themselves with their free hand or even put both feet down.
You can also mix the hopscotch rules so that various ages and skill levels can play together. For example the older hopscotch players use more strict hopscotch rules while the younger hopscotch players get a “handicap” by playing by a set hopscotch rule variation.
For really competitive hopscotch players you might consider this variation. Have the hopscotch players choose a particularly prized hopscotch marker (or set a side a “prize”) and the winner of the hopscotch game gets to take all hopscotch markers (or the prize).
To add a bit of a twist to your hopscotch game you can assign certain squares special meaning. For example when a hopscotch player lands in square 5 the player must hop twice, or flap flap their arms like a bird or sing part of a song, or say a specific phrase or , well, you get the idea.
Hopscotch Layout Variations
As I mentioned, hopscotch layouts vary and you can really create any variation you like. Here are a few hopscotch layout variations to try.
This hopscotch layout is a little tricky because you must turn around in mid jump on the 7/8 double square
without hitting a line.
A French version of hopscotch is called Escargot or Snail. The basic rules of snail are similar to hopscotch in that a player's must keep balance, not touch the lines, etc. but the layout of snail is quite different. This snail layout is a spiral (it resemble a large snail shell) about 5 feet around with a circle in the middle, this circle is “home”. Lines are drawn about 1 foot apart to section the spiral, forming boxes inside the spiral. The snail players take turns hopping on one foot in each of the sections finishing at the “home” circle. If a snail player makes it “home” without stepping on a line or losing their balance, they get to write their name in any square they choose. This square now becomes a rest spot (can stand on two feet) for that player only. All the other players must hop over that marked square. Snail is over when all the squares have been marked and the winner is the child with the most squares.
