Penny rugby

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Penny rugby (also known as Table Rugby or "Coin Rugby") is a coin game played by children in some rugby playing 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 rugby either union or league.

Penny football is a similar concept but based on Association football. Another name is 'Spoin' or Sporting Coin.

Contents

[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
    • New Zealand: An old 50c coin is used. (prior to the changing of coin currency)
    • Ireland: A 50c or €1 coin (the €1 coin is used less due to its awkward size:weight ratio); 2p and 20p coins were used prior to the change to the Euro.
  • 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

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 in getting it to the edge of their opponents side of the table they then must flick the coin into the air with their fingers and catch it with the same hand that flicked it, if they catch it successfully 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] Other Variations

Many other variations of the game exist, primarily involving 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 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:
    • 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, 5+2(conversion) for rugby, 2 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.

[edit] See also