Hopscotch Rules

Choose the form of hopscotch you will play. It is always a rectangle divided by 9 to 16 boxes, with a semicircle on top (called Heaven or Paradise), which is the ultimate goal of all players. But there is also the circular hopscotch or snake, so named after its shape. The hopscotch court or mat is drawn on the ground with a stick or on the asphalt with a rock or a piece of chalk. Each player has a marker (sometimes called a puck or a potsy). It is usually a common stone. The first player throws his marker into the first square. The marker must land completely within the marked square without touching a line or bouncing out. If the marker lands in the wrong square, the player looses his turn.

If the marker throw is successful, the player hops through the court beginning at square one. Side by side squares are straddled, with the left foot landing in the left square and the right foot in the right square. Single squares must be hopped into on one foot. For the first single square, either foot may be used. For subsequent single squares alternate feet must be used. Squares marked "Safe" (or "Home"/"Neutral"/"Rest"/etc.) or "London" are neutral squares and may be hopped through in any way without penalty.

When the player reaches the end of the court, he turns around and hops back through the court, hopping through the squares in reverse order and stopping to pick up his marker on the way back. Upon successfully completing the sequence, the player continues his turn by throwing his marker into square two and continuing in the same way.

If, while hopping through the court in either direction, the player steps on a line, misses a square, or loses his balance and falls, his turn ends. He does not get credit for completing the current sequence and must start that sequence again on his next turn. The first player to complete one course for every numbered square on the court wins.