Hopscotch

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For other uses, see Hopscotch (disambiguation).

A hopscotch game with a traditional magpie rhyme in Morecambe, England

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.

The name "hopscotch" is a compound of "hop" and "scotch", meaning "scratched line", occurring first in 1789 and becoming common in the 19th century.

There are many other forms of hopscotch played across the globe. In Malaysia, it is known as ting-ting or ketengteng. In Brazil it is known as Amarelinha, in many Spanish-speaking countries, it is known as Rayuela.

[edit] Rules

Rules for a common Western version of "hopscotch", which are not necessarily the same as the historic "hopscotch" in the description above:

The first player tosses a 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 a turn. If the marker is successful, the player hops through the court beginning on square one. Side by side 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. However, the player skips the square with the stone in it. Squares marked "Safe" "Home" or "Rest" are neutral squares, and may be hopped through in any manner without penalty.

When players reach the end of the court, they turn around and hop back through the court, moving through the squares in reverse order and stopping to pick up the marker on the way back (and hops in the square). Upon successfully completing the sequence, the player continues the turn by tossing the 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 balance, the turn ends. Players begin their turns where they last left off. The first player to complete one course for every numbered square on the court wins the game.

One hopscotch variant is known as "Snail", "Escargot," or "La Marelle Ronde." 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 a player makes it to "Home" without stepping on a line, losing balance and falling off the board, etc., the player may mark any square with the player's name. This square can then be used as a resting spot, where the player 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 squares.

[edit] Variants

Extreme Hopscotch, also known as "Scotching" is a sport based loosely off of the game hopscotch. It originated in the small town of Windsor, Colorado during the summer of 2004. Primarily, just a box of multicolored chalk and some friends are needed to play. Open, flat ground on which chalk can be written on is required as well. Obstacles can be included, and may be incorporated in the game.