BATUHANG BOLA

INTRODUCTION

Filipino children commonly play traditional Filipino games, sometimes

called as Laro ng Lahi or Larong Pinoy. In the Philippines, due to the lack and

limited resources of toys, they usually come up on inventing games without the

needs of anything but the players themselves. The materials used are usually

native material or instruments, like stones, leaves, tree branches etc. The game

become more interesting and challenging with the flexibility of a real human to think

and to act. Some games are played outdoors because it is a Filipino tradition to

play in a bigger and spacious area. Kids used to gather in the street or in the

neighborhood to play their favorite Larong Pinoy like piko, patentero, taguan,

tumbang preso, luksong baka etc. It is the regular and popular pastimes for kids

back before new and modern entertainments has taken over the interest of young

kids.

One of the commonly played Filipino game is Batuhang Bola or Dodgeball

in English. Back then, dodgeball is originated in Africa. It was played there for over

two hundred years ago. The original version of it is deadlier and more painful

because instead of rubber balls, they used rocks or putrefied matter. African tribes

to train them play that version. Here in the Philippines it is a game where two teams

try to hit the opposing team with a ball thrown from two sides while avoiding being

hit themselves, a point is granted with every hit on the opposing side.
 Here in our province Batuhang Bola also known as Harantiray/ Arantiray.

To play this, you must first gather 2 teams and get a ball. The 1st team should

stand in the middle of the court, while the 2nd team should be divided into two and

should stand at both sides of the 1st team. The 2nd team should hit the players of

the 1st team. If you hit a player, that player is out. If that player catches the ball,

his team will gain a “life” and can be used to revive another player or be used to

continue to play on if the ball hits him/her. You will win the game if you have hit all

the players and none of the players are left.

This game have different variation of rules depending on the town or

province where the game is being played. The people either improved the rules,

others makes it more complicated, and some are just sticking to the traditional way

of playing.
 BATUHANG BOLA

Teams – Two teams composed of 6 members each (3 girls, 3 boys), the Offensive

and Defensive Team.

Offensive Team

Shooters – Two team members that will throw the ball at the Deflectors.

Assist – Four (4) Offensive team members positioned behind the shooter to

recover the ball thrown by the other shooter. 2 Assist are positioned behind each

shooter.

Defensive Team

Deflectors – Five team members of the Defensive Team positioned in the

middle of the court trying to avert being hit by the ball thrown by the shooters.

Substitute – One team member of the Defensive Team ready to substitute

for any team member.

Materials

One-piece Throwing Ball

. Scoring Points

To score the Offensive Team must hit a Defensive Player with the ball before their

5 minute time limit expires. 1 point is awarded to every Defensive player hit with

the ball. If the Offensive team hits all the Defensive players before the 5 minute

time limit team position will exchange immediately.

1. Coin toss will decide who will be the Offensive Team or Defensive Team.

2. Teams will be playing a 30-minute game with teams exchanging position as

Offensive and Defensive teams every 5 minutes or until a team scores 5 points.

There will be a 5-minute halftime break.

3. Offensive Team will place 1 player each on the Shooter (S) position and 2

players on Assist (A) position behind the shooter.

4. Shooters are only allowed to throw the ball at Defensive players behind the line

at the base of the triangle, which is the designated throw area. Assists are not

allowed to throw the ball at the deflectors.

5. Defensive Team will field five players in the playing court as Deflectors.

Deflectors will try to avoid being hit by the Offensive Teams shooters until the

5 minute time limit expires.

6. Teams will be given two (2) three (3) minute time out each half of game play.

Substitution can only be done on dead ball situations.

7. Game time will be followed strictly. Teams not on playing court by game time

will be disqualified.

8. Team with the most points at the end of game time wins the game.
BATUHANG BOLA

Photo Documentation
Photo Documentation
Photo Documentation
 I enjoy playing this game, Batuhang Bola a lot because your goal is to dodge

the ball and avoid hitting you, in your body parts, when you are in offensive team.

In addition, if you belong to the one who throw the ball, your goal is to hit all the

people in the center.

Overall, playing this game made me work holistically. From my physical to

mental aspect, even my social interaction is being practice by playing this game.

At some point, playing this game lessen the stress and seriousness around me. It

brings pleasure to for I am playing with my friends and the fact that we are creating

some memories.

Others believe that Filipino games should be preserved and thought to

the Filipino children for they think that Filipino games like Tumbang Preso, Sipa,

Patintero and others alike help improve a child's physical and motor skills as well

as strategic logic and since most Filipino Games are team games, teamwork and

sportsmanship as well as self-confidence and leadership skills are being

emphasized on a child while playing this games.

This game bonded us together and taught us how to communicate with each

other. It also taught us to value friendship, sacrifice and respect the rules and our

peers. This game make up a huge part of any Filipino’s childhood.

Without this Filipino games or Laro ng Lahi, we would not be able to called

ourselves as a Filipino. Our rich culture and history will be an unsolved puzzle

without this games.

Recreational Activity

Jessan H. Balasangay

12 STEM

2019