Hit the Penny: American Sidewalk Bounce Game
An American sidewalk game in which two players stand facing each other and bounce a ball, trying to hit a coin placed on the line between them. It builds bounce accuracy, catching and distance judgment with a simple scoring system.
How to play
- Share the origin: on city sidewalks across the United States, kids played with a penny set on the crack between two squares. Draw 12 chalk courts: two 5-foot squares side by side with a center line.
- Make pairs, one student in each square, facing each other. Place a flat disc cone, the 'penny', on the center line.
- Taking turns, each student bounces the ball two-handed from their square, trying to land it on the disc. The partner catches the ball after the bounce and takes the next turn.
- Hitting the disc is 1 point; flipping it over is 2 points, and it gets reset. If the ball doesn't reach the other square or the partner can't catch it, no point is scored and play continues.
- The first partner to 11 wins. After each game, winners move up one court and the others move down one, like a ladder.
- Play games for about 12 minutes. At the end, see who reached the top court.
Rules
- Always throw from inside your own square, without stepping on the line.
- Safety: keep courts at least 6 feet apart, and warn the next court before chasing a loose ball.
- Call out the score after every throw.
Variations
Easier
A bigger penny (a small hoop on the ground) and 3-foot squares.
Standard
A flat disc cone on the line and games to 11.
Harder
One-hand throws only, and only bounces the partner catches without leaving the square count.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility: play seated with shorter squares and a lighter ball.
- Visual impairment: replace the disc with a hand drum that sounds when hit, and the partner claps to show position.
- Skill level: students who hit easily throw from farther back, with their line moved back 18 inches.
Learning goals
- Adjust bounce force and direction to hit a target.
- Catch a ball after a bounce with two hands.
- Learn a traditional American street game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- playground balls: 12
- flat disc cones: 12
- chalk: 6
Teacher tip
This game works very well as a calm station within a high-energy lesson.
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