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Hopscotch

Hopscotch is a simplechildren's gamewhich can be played with several playersor alone. Hopscotch is often played on playgroundsby children. Hopscotch wasinvented by theRomans, probably inBritainduring the earlyEmpire. It was initially designed as a training regimen for Roman footsoldiersthat ran the coursein full armor and field packs, as it was thought this would improve their footwork.The word "hopscotch" is a compound of "hop" (short jump) and "scotch" (scratchedline). Called "scotch-hoppers", the term dates back at least to 1677. However, "hop"and "skoč" also mean "jump" in Czech. But the game itself is called

panák

(figure)in Czech.

Hopscotch Courts, c. 1900.

[1]

EnglishEnglish (simple)American

To play hopscotch, a course is first laid out. Traditionally, children have drawnthe course in the dirt of a playground whenever needed, although it was oftenchalked on pavement when dirt was unavailable. Designs vary, but the course isusually composed of a series of linear squares interspersed with blocks of twolateral squares. Traditionally the course ends with a "safe" or "home" base in whichthe player may turn before completing the reverse trip. The home base may be asquare, a rectangle, or a semicircle. The squares are then numbered in the sequencein which they are to be hopped.The first player tosses the marker (typically a stone, coin or bean bag) into thefirst square. The marker must land completely within the designated square andwithout touching a line or bouncing out. The player then hops through the course,skipping the square with the marker in it. Single squares must be hopped on onefoot. For the first single square, either foot may be used. Side by side squares arestraddled, with the left foot landing in the left square, and the right foot landing inthe right square. Optional squares marked "Safe", "Home", or "Rest" is neutralsquares, and may be hopped through in any manner without penalty. Upon

successfully completing the sequence, the player continues the turn by tossing themarker 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 theylast left off. The first player to complete one course for every numbered square onthe court wins the game. Although the marker is most often picked up during thegame, historically, in the boy's game, the marker was kicked sequentially back through the course on the return trip and then kicked out.

Congkak