How to play Hopscotch....CORRECTLY!

Hopscotch (Pronounced hop-sko-ch) has been played by children in the streets, schools an gardens for decades, however, most of the time, people jst throw the stone and hop. It seems that very few people know the actual RULES for hopscotch. This hub will not only show you how to play hopscotch, but will tell you about its history, give you tips to help you win, help you choose the perfect stone to play with and tell you what hopscotch can do for your health!

The History of Hopscotch

Hopscotch started in ancient Britain, during the early Roman Empire. Original hopscotch courts were used for military training and were over 100 feet long. Roman foot-soldiers would run the course in full armour and field packs to improve their footwork. Roman children then made smaller imitations, added a scoring system and so hopscotch was created.

Below is the old layout of the hopscotch court:

Hopscotch In Other Countries

In France, Hopscotch is called "Marelles", "Templehupfen" in Germany, "Hinkelbaan" in the Netherlands, "Rayuela" in Argentina, , "Pico" in Vietnam and "Ekaria Dukaria" in India.

The English term Hopscotch comes from the word "hop" which means "to jump" and "escocher", which is a French word meaning "to cut".

What Do You Need To Play Hopscotch?

1. Chalk (or a stone that leaves white marks on pavement)

2. A stone for each player

AND THATS IT!!! SIMPLE!

What Does a Hopscotch Court Look Like?

The most common layout of a hopscotch court

How To Draw A Hopscotch Court

If you are playing on large pavement slabs, then the slabs should already be in the correct hopscotch shape, so all you will have to do is write the numbers in the spaces.

If you are playing on plain surfaces, you will need to use the chalk to draw the boxes for each number in the hopscotch shape that is shown above. Then write the numbers 1 to 10 in the order that they are shown above.

How To Hop A Hopscotch Court

1: Hop

2 & 3 : Jump

4: Hop

5 & 6 : Jump

7: Hop

8 & 9 : Jump

10: Hop

Still don't understand? Look at the image below or watch the video of my children showing you how to hop a hopscotch

How To Hop A Hopscotch Court

Rules Of Hopscotch

The aim of the game is to succesfully complete the hopscotch with your stone at number 10

1. Throw your stone on the number 1. If the stone misses the number 1 or lands on the lines of the square, you give up your go

2. Without landing on the 1, complete the hopscotch court. If you don't know how to do this, go up the page and watch the video. When you are doing the hopscotch court, you cannot step on the lines of the squares, change your hopping foot or step outside of the squares.

3. When you reach the ten on the hopscotch court, DO NOT put your foot down, hop to turn around and then go back

4. When you reach the 1, pick up the stone BEFORE you jump back over the 1 again. If you don't do this, you give up your go

5. If you complete this, then move on to throw the stone on the number 2 and repeat the process. You keep going with your turn until you do something that means you miss your go (these are all listed throughout the rules).

6. If you don't complete your go, then on your next go you must try for the same number again.

If you wish to take the game further, once you have made it to 10, you go backwards from 10 to 1.

Still don't understand? Watch the video below of my children playing the game

Hopscotch Techniques

Here are some tips to help you do better at Hopscotch:

1. When throwing the stone, do it gently and underarm so you have a better chance of getting it in the correct square

2. Take your time going across the hopscotch court so you are less likely to step on the lines of the squares

3. If you are in the hop position when you go to pick up your stone, as you bend down, lift which ever leg is in the air higher. This will help you with balance.

4. The type of rock used can also make a difference. If the stone you use is too round, then it is mpre likely to roll and therefore come out of the square. This is why it is better to use a flat stone, which is more likely to stay exactly where it lands. (See the images below)

Hopscotch & Your Health

Hopscotch is a great cardio exercise as it works your calves and thighs.

It's also good for conditioning if you're a professional athlete and for increasing balance and stability.

A game of hopscotch is a friends & family fun way for everyone to get their hour (Or more!) of exercise a day, especially in the summer!