Claim the Squares: A Schoolyard Board of Hoops

A 5 × 5 grid of hoops is the board: teams race to claim squares by leaving a clothespin of their color and score by making lines of their own squares. It blends running, reading the game and board-game strategy.

How to play

1. Teams set up the grid of 25 hoops about 3 m apart; each team lines up on one side with its clothespins in a box (3 min).
2. Explanation: one at a time, the first in line runs, leaves a clothespin in a free hoop or swaps an opponent's clothespin for their own, and runs back to tag the next teammate (2 min).
3. Game 1: most hoops after 4 minutes wins (5 min).
4. Game 2: every line of three of your hoops in a row is worth 3 points and a single hoop 1 point. One minute to plan first (6 min).
5. Game 3 with defense: one defender per team can tag opponents inside the grid, and the tagged runner goes back without placing a clothespin (7 min).
6. Count and discuss: which squares should you claim first? (2 min).

Rules

• Move only one clothespin per trip.
• Don't run through the hoops: step between them.
• Tag the next runner with a hand slap at the start line.
• Defenders tag with a hand on the shoulder and don't camp inside a hoop.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the team moves the start line closer or they play the nearest row; they also call the team's plan.
• Visual impairment: smaller grid, and a partner calls out coordinates ("row 2, hoop 3").
• Slower runners: the team sets the running order, and anyone may run twice.

Learning goals

• Plan how to occupy a space, like in a board game.
• Adjust decisions to what the other team does.
• Keep the intensity up in a strategic relay.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hoops: 25
• colored clothespins: 60
• pinnies: 15

Teacher tip

If you don't have 25 hoops, use flat markers or chalk crosses. Common mistake: everyone runs to the nearest hoop; give a minute to plan between games.

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