Yard Games in PE: Fun Physical Activity for Everyone
AAHPERD National Convention, 2014
Drs. Helion, Cramer and Cummiskey
Excerpts from: Cummiskey, M. (2013). Yard games in secondary physical education. Strategies:
A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 26(4), 25-30.
Kubb
Kubb is a game of Swedish origin
(U.S. National Kubb Championship,
2012). It is played on a rectangular court
of varying sizes depending on the
competition and skill level (see figure 1).
The field is divided in two halves with a
king kubb in the center and five base
kubbs evenly spaced along each baseline.
There are also six throwing batons and four corner markers. Team sizes range between one and
six players but generally consist of one, two or three individuals.
To determine which team throws first, one member of each team throws one baton
attempting to land it closest to the king kubb without knocking it over. Assume for
demonstration purposes, team one was the closest. The game starts by team one throwing four
batons from behind their baseline at the base kubbs of team two. Tosses are underhand only and
the kubb must tumble end-over-end and not side-to-side. After all four batons have been thrown,
team two picks up the toppled base kubbs and tosses them so they land on team one’s half of the
field. Team one stands up the kubbs, now called field kubbs, where they landed. Team two
then attempts to knock over the field kubbs using six batons; only in the first round are
participants limited to four batons. If successful in knocking down all field kubbs, team two may
then attempt to knock over team one’s base kubbs with any remaining batons. Team one picks
up any toppled kubbs and likewise, tosses them to team two’s side. However, if team two in the
previous round was unable to topple all of the field kubbs, team one now has the advantage of
being able to throw from the nearest upright field kubb instead of the baseline. The game
continues until one team has toppled all of the field and base kubbs of the other team. At this
point, the leading team attempts to knock over the king kubb thus winning the game. If either
team prematurely knocks over the king kubb, the game is over.
Several elements of strategy exist in Kubb. For example, when throwing toppled kubbs,
some teams attempt to land the kubbs nearest the midline making them easier to knock over.
Other teams prefer to throw them far so if unsuccessful, the opposing team does not gain too
much advantage. Another strategy is to land kubbs close together making them easier to topple
with one baton. A free, detailed rules document is available online from the U.S. National Kubb
Championship (2012). There is a national Kubb Championship held yearly in Wisconsin and a
bi-annual magazine titled Kubbnation. Kubb sets are available online and may be constructed at
home using lumber from most home improvement centers.
Washers
Washers is a game similar to horseshoes
although safer and more suited to the muscular
strength of school-age students. There are several
variations including Pit Washers and 3-hole Washers;
the version presented in this article is Box Washers.
Required equipment includes two scoring boxes (see
figure 2) and four large industrial washers
(approximately 2.5 inches wide, 1 inch hole in
center). The size of a scoring box varies but is
typically 18 or 24 inches wide. The “floor” consists
of 3/8 inch plywood and may be covered by exterior
Figure 2.
carpet if desired. The sides are constructed of 2X4 or
2X3 lumber. In the center of 18 inch scoring boxes is a 6 inch PVC coupling pipe (figure 2). In
the center of 24 inch scoring boxes is often an empty paint can. The center piece is fixed to the
plywood floor using screws and/or 90-degree corner braces.
The game is typically played by two individuals, each with two washers spray painted
different colors to distinguish their ownership. The scoring boxes are placed anywhere from 10
to 25 feet apart depending on the skill and age of participants. The objective of the game is to
toss washers into the scoring box (1 point) or into the center circle (3 points). Both players start
at the same box, player one tosses the first washer and tosses alternate thereafter. Tosses may be
executed underhand or sideways from behind the front of the scoring box; overhand throws are
not permitted. After all four washers have been thrown, both players walk to the other scoring
box and score the throws. The points accrued by one player cancel those for the other. For
example, if player A tossed two washers into the scoring box, the total equals two points. If
player B tossed one washer outside the scoring box (zero points) and one washer inside the
center piece, the total equals three points. The two points player A scored are subtracted from
the three points player B scored. Therefore, player B earns one point for the first round and
player A earns zero. The player who scored most recently throws the first washer for each
succeeding round. The game continues until one player accumulates 15 or 21 points. If playing
with four individuals, there are two players per team who remain at separate starting boxes.
There are no “official” rules so physical educators may adapt them as needed.
One basic strategy in Box Washers is selecting the type of throw. Some players toss
washers similar to Frisbee while others toss them underhand with a flick motion causing the
washers to rotate backwards. Some players toss washers high into the air aiming to create a soft
landing while others use low trajectories to bounce the washer off the center piece or back
“wall.” Players vary the type and trajectory of toss depending on their objective; some aim for
the center piece with every throw while others aim to land washers in the box.
A similar toss game to Box Washers is Baggo. It is played using two raised wood
platforms with three holes in a straight line. Players toss bean bags from one platform to the
holes in the other. The points earned vary by the hole the bean bag enters. The procedures and
rules share many similarities with Box Washers.
Ladder Golf
Ladder Golf is played using two sets of ladders
and six bolas divided into two colors (see figure 3). The
ladders are set up 15 feet or 5 paces apart. The objective
is to throw bolas from one ladder and land it on the rungs
of the opposite ladder. A coin tossed is used to determine
who throws first. Players throw all three bolas
consecutively; throws are not alternated. Players must
throw from behind the ladder, not its footers.
The top rung is worth three points, the middle two
and the bottom one. Participants may score one
additional point by landing all three bolas on the same
rung or one bola on each rung. The first player to score
exactly 21 points wins. If a player earns more than 21
points, all the points from that round are negated. For
example, if a player has 18 points and scores five
Figure 3.
additional points, the player’s score remains at 18 for the
next round. Players may knock the bolas of their opponent off the ladder. After each round,
players walk to the opposite end and retrieve their bolas; players alternate who throws first in
each round. If using four players, there are two teams of two and each player remains at the
same ladder throughout.
Ladder golf kits are available through traditional “brick and mortar” stores such as Target
and Dick’s Clothing and Sport Goods. They are also available through Amazon.com and other
online retailers. If choosing to create a homemade ladder golf kit, purchase the following: 16
feet of ¾” PVC elbow joints, 6 ¾” T joints, 12 feet of 3/8” nylon rope and 12 solid core balls.
Assemble the PVC pipes using plumbing cement. Drill holes through the solid core balls and tie
knots on either end to fix the location of each ball on the end of the string
Bocce
The rules of Bocce are established by the
United States Bocce Federation (n.d.) but have
been modified below for use in physical
education. The equipment is relatively simple,
eight solid core balls slightly over four inches in
diameter divided into two different colors and one
pallino or jack (figure 4). The pallino is smaller
and of a different color than the bocce balls.
Bocce may be played between two players or two
teams of up to four players. The objective is to
Figure 4.
roll the bocce balls so they come to rest as close
to the pallino as possible. Teams toss a coin to
determine who bowls first. The team that won the coin toss tosses the pallino into an open area
not less than 10 yards but not more than 25 yards away. The team that tossed the pallino bowls
first from behind the bowling line followed by alternating bowls thereafter. The toss must be
underhand and may not be lofted into the air above shoulder height. According to official rules,
the bocce balls are bowled in one direction and then back again. In physical education, the
instructor may allow, depending on space available, that the pallino be tossed in any direction
after each round. After the eighth ball has been bowled, teams examine the bocce balls to
determine who is closest; tape measures may be provided to measure close distances. One player
from each team is allowed to examine and measure distances at any point during the round. The
team with the closest ball scores one point; first team to 12 wins. If two balls from opposing
teams are equidistant to the pallino, no point is awarded. If a player disturbs any of the bocce
balls prior to the final measurement, that team automatically loses the point. Physical educators
may also consider a British variation of Bocce called Bowls in which the balls are biased and
therefore roll in a curved arc. The winner of each round may score multiple points depending on
how many balls are closest before a ball belonging to the opposition.
Strategy plays an important part in Bocce. Teams may knock opposing bocce balls out of
the way. Teams may bowl short balls that block the opposition from a clear path to the pallino.
Still other teams try and actually hit the pallino to move it to another location. Physical
educators do not need to purchase official equipment. Softballs approximate bocce balls well
and a golf ball is an excellent substitutes for the pallino.
KanJam
from Wikipedia
The game is broken up into turns, with an
equal number of turns for each team. The goals
("kans") are spaced approximately 50 feet apart. A
team consists of two people each standing at
opposing ends of the playing field. One player
throws the disk, while the other acts as the
"deflector," who is free to move anywhere, unlike
the thrower, but the deflector may not catch, carry,
or double hit the disc. The original deflector then
throws the disc back to the original thrower from
his end in order to score, and then the next team
takes their turn.
No points are awarded if the thrower goes
over the line, or if the disc hits the ground before
reaching the goal. Three points are awarded to the
attacking team if the opposition 1 points, respectively.
Points are awarded for a Dinger, when the flying
disc is deflected into the side of the kan (1 point), a
Deuce (a.k.a. "direct hit" or "direct"), when the flying
disc hits the side of the kan without help from the
deflector (2 points), or a Bucket, when the flying disc is
deflected into the middle of the kan through the top or
the front slot (3 points). In addition, when a player
throws the disc into the middle of the kan through the
front slot or the top without help from the deflector, he scores a "chog" for an instant win.
The game is over when a team scores exactly 21 points – if a team scores more than 21
after a turn, then the score returns to 17 points. In the event of a tie, each team has one more turn
and the winner is the team that scores the most points. A team must achieve an exact score of 21
points to win, and teams must complete an equal number of turns (except when an Instant Win is
scored).
http://www.kanjam.com/Game/HowToPlay.aspx
Teaching and Assessment Strategies in Physical Education
As lifetime activities, yard games are suitable for middle and high school physical
education. They can either be taught in a traditional unit format or as a bridge between longer
units. Since the rules are relatively easy to understand, the games can be presented to students
and then immediately put into practice. Teams sizes should remain as small as possible (1 v. 1 or
2 v. 2) to promote activity time and opportunities to learn (OTLs). Instead of having all students
engaged in the same activity, teachers may also have each yard game act as a station where
students rotate from one yard game to the next. The advantage in this approach is that fewer
game sets must be purchased or created. Teachers may incorporate pedometers to record student
activity levels and there are smartphone apps that can assist with keeping score.
Assessment is an important aspect of physical education as it demonstrates what students
have learned. Since participation in yard games is not as contingent upon skill level, assessing
softer skills such as rule adherence and etiquette is important. Below is a sample rubric that
measures several important aspects of participation and aligns well with the NASPE standards.
Yard Games Daily Rubric
Criteria
Excellent (4)
OK (3)
Adherence to
rules
Students follow
all rules without
exception
Keeping score
Able to keep
score accurately,
no errors
Etiquette
Brings positive
energy, cares
about group
success, respects
other participants
Focused, on task
whole class,
seeks to improve
performance,
tries hard
One or two
minor errors that
do not significantly impact the
course of play or
the outcome
Some confusion
as to the score or
how points are
earned
Maintains selfcontrol, minor
lapse in sportspersonship
Engagement
Score: ______/12
Works
independently,
can keep activity
going
Needs
Improvement (2)
Several minor
errors or one
major error,
disrupts play,
need intervention
on part of teacher
Inconsistently
keeps score and
/or consistently
makes mistakes
Not a distraction
but not helping
one’s team
Shows some
effort, does not
extend self fully,
somewhat disattached
Below Basic (1)
Fails to follow
several major
rules, cannot
describe proper
rule(s) when
asked
Does not know
the score, has not
been attempting
to keep score
Lacks selfcontrol, verbally
or nonverbally
inappropriate
“Just there”, does
bare minimum