Penny rugby
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Penny rugby, (also known as Penny Football, Coin Football, Coin Soccer and Coin) is a coin game played commonly by children in many countries with many variations. The game involves scoring points by moving a coin around a table in a variety of skillful ways, and these movements are loosely based on the game of football (in its various codes, such as rugby or soccer).
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[edit] How to play
[edit] Equipment
- One coin (this can vary depending on country and player preference)
- UK: Traditionally a penny, although the bigger 2p is easier to score with
- Australia: a 20c coin is standard, though a 10c coin is more challenging
- A table top, roughly one metre by one metre (e.g. a school desk)
- A variation in table dimensions (especially in length) can offer different playing dynamics, much like the variation in dimensions of real-life football fields.
- Two chairs (not always used)
[edit] Playing
[edit] Rugby
The first player starts by placing their coin on the edge of the table, so one part is on the table and the other part is hanging over the edge. The player then aims to get the coin into this position on the opponent's end of the table. They achieve this by tapping the coin forward using a finger or combination of fingers. The taps must be sharp, impacting movements, and a tap which seems to 'push' the coin is penalised by a turn over.
The attacking player is allowed only three taps to position the coin over the opponents edge of the table (the touchline). If it fails to reach this line in 3 taps, no points are scored, and possession changes to the other player. However if they are successful, they are said to have scored a try, and get 5 points.
They can then try for a conversion, whereby they spin the coin on the table (with the a diameter of the coin vertical), and try to catch it 'mid-spin' between both thumbs. The other player then makes a rugby goalpost-like structure with their hands and the coin must be thrown over the goal between the posts to score an extra 2 points.
Whether or not any points have been scored, play then passes to the second player who repeats the procedure. The games is usually won by the player with the most points scored in a set time period.
[edit] Soccer
This game is similar to the rugby version but more closely resembles the game of soccer. Play proceeds as above, however no points are scored if the coin hangs off the edge of the opponent's end in 3 or less taps. To score, the coin must be flicked upwards and caught with the same hand. (If the coin is only just on the edge of the table prior to flicking, it is much harder to flick and catch). It is then spun on the table (as above) and caught between two thumbs. The other player then makes a goal-structure similar to a soccer goal, with the fingers interlocking and thumbs pointing downwards forming the posts. One index finger can then be pointed downward to touch the table top and be moved back and forwards as a "goalie". The attacking player then tries to flick the coin between the two posts (thumbs), and the defending player can attempt to block the coin with his. Each goal scores one point.
[edit] Other Variations
Many other variations of the game exist, primarily invovling differences in the goal structure and scoring system. For example:
- The first tap of each player's turn may be delivered using the flat palm of the hand (since half of the the coin is off the table)
- The coin is initially set down coin down a small distance from the starting edge, ie. 6cm
- The attacking player may choose between:
- Soccer goals (thumbs on the table, index fingers touching)
- Rugby goals (thumbs touching, index fingers pointing up), or even
- Basketball goals (flat palm).
- If the player manages to score, they are awarded different numbers of points based on the difficulty level, e.g., 1 for soccer, 2 for rugby, 5 for basketball.
- The thumbs are used as the crossbar for the goals
- Players must not leave their seats to reach over the table while playing
- If the attacking player hits the coin and it falls off the edge of his opponents side on his first go then a penalty is awarded and the defending player can attempt a 'kick' like a conversion only it is worth 3 points.
