Catalan Bitlles: Stick-Toss Pin Game

A traditional game from Catalonia in which players throw three short sticks, the bitllots, at six pins set in two rows of three. The big goal is to make bitlla: knock down five and leave exactly one standing. Students practice accurate throwing and smart decisions.

How to play

1. Show the lane (2 min): 6 bottles in two rows of three, almost touching, and a chalk line 5 m (16 ft) away. Mention that the game still has its own federation.
2. Make 6 groups of 4 or 5, each with a lane and 3 bitllots cut from pool noodles, about 16 inches long.
3. A turn is 3 underhand throws in a row, with the stick flying and spinning; reset all 6 pins before every turn.
4. Official scoring: 1 point per pin down, 6 if all fall and 10 for a bitlla (one left standing). If a player makes bitlla before the third stick, the turn ends.
5. Rotate roles every turn: thrower, scorekeeper, pin setter and stick fetcher. Each player gets 3 turns (10 min).
6. Round two in pairs (10 min): partners alternate sticks in the same turn and agree whether to go for all six or for bitlla.

Rules

• Nobody enters the lane until the thrower has thrown all three sticks.
• Do not step on the throwing line.
• A pin is down if it is lying on the ground.
• Throw underhand and never toward the pin setter.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student throws seated from 3 m (10 ft) or rolls the stick along the ground.
• Autism: provide a card with the role rotation and throwing order so each turn is predictable.
• Skill level: the most accurate throwers use their non-dominant hand.

Learning goals

• Throw a long object with a controlled spin toward a target.
• Decide when it is worth the risk to leave a single pin standing.
• Appreciate bitlles as a living traditional game from Catalonia.

Equipment for a class of 25

• recycled bottles: 36
• pool noodles: 6
• chalk: 3

Teacher tip

Put an inch of sand in each bottle so the wind doesn't knock them over, and chalk each pin's spot for quick resets. Model the throw: straight arm back, release at hip height.

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