Minor Game | Hopscotch Hoops!

This is a great, simple game called Hopscotch Tag, designed to help students develop Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS), particularly the standing jump. Not only does it improve physical abilities, but it also keeps children engaged while being active. This game is versatile and perfect for warming up primary students before a main activity or game. Like all good minor games, it’s simple in rules, easy for little learners to grasp, and, most importantly, requires minimal equipment. It can be played virtually anywhere, making it an ideal choice for any setting.

Grab a few hoops, and get ready for a whole load of fun and fitness!

What do you need?

Hoops
Playing area

What is the goal of the game?

To get to the other side of the course
Perform the standing jump
Develop fundamental movement skills

How do you play?

Set up the Course

A teacher will lay out a series of hoops, positioned next to each other to form a course.

2. The shape of the course should resemble a windy river or a big snake, with curves, but the hoops should stay close together.

3. Depending on the age of the students, the teacher can adjust how windy and long the course is.

4. Each hoop requires a jump to move from one to the next, and students must use the correct jumping technique as previously explained by the teacher.

Game Setup

5. The game starts with two teams, each at opposite ends of the course.

The Race Begins

6. When the teacher blows the whistle, the first player from each team jumps into the closest hoop, aiming to reach the other side as quickly as possible.

7. Players are only allowed to jump through one hoop at a time, using the proper technique.

8. Both players will eventually meet in the middle of the course.

9. If players meet, they cannot jump around or through each other. Instead, they must play a quick game of rock-paper-scissors to determine who moves forward.

10. The winner of the rock-paper-scissors continues to jump through the hoops.

11. The losing player steps to the side, clears the course to avoid obstruction, and walks back to their team’s starting line.

12. The winning student continues through the hoops while the next player from the opposing team starts at the beginning of the course.

13. The opposing player will try to jump as quickly as possible to prevent the other team from gaining ground.

Scoring

14. When a student successfully reaches the other side, having beaten all challenges, their team earns 1 point.

15. The student then returns to the end of their team’s line to play again.

End of Game

16. The game continues until the desired time limit is reached.

17. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

How Can You Modify It?

Make it easier!

Make the course smaller

Make it Harder!

Make the course bigger
Change the FMS (one leg jumps) Jump patterns
Push ups when you lose
Squats when you lose

What are the main skills being utilised?

Fundamental Movement Skills:

Locomotor- run, jump, dodge, lunge, side step, leap
Stability- turning, balance, stopping, bending, stretching

Tactical Skills:

Scanning the field of play to make decisions
Cooperative play, supporting teammates
Following rules and structures of a game
Critical thinking through decision-making