Seven Stones (Lagori)
A traditional game from India where one team knocks down a tower of seven pieces with a ball and tries to rebuild it while the other team tries to tag them with the ball. Students practice throwing, strategy, dodging and teamwork.
How to play
- Set up 2 courts of 65 × 50 ft. In the middle, inside a 3 ft circle, stack 7 cups into a tower and mark a throwing line 20 ft away. Two teams of 6 or 7 per court.
- Attackers: one at a time, throw the foam ball from the line to knock down the tower (3 tries each).
- Once it falls, attackers must rebuild it in the circle. Defenders grab the ball and try to hit them below the waist.
- Defenders can't run with the ball: they pass and take only 3 steps. A tagged attacker goes to the sideline until the next point.
- If the tower is rebuilt and they shout "Lagori!" attackers score; if all are tagged, defenders score. Then switch roles.
- Play for 18 minutes. Before each attack, teams get 30 seconds to decide who builds and who distracts.
Rules
- Defenders always throw below the waist with a foam ball.
- The player holding the ball may take no more than 3 steps.
- Defenders may not touch the tower or enter the circle.
- Safety: nobody dives to rebuild the tower, and avoid crashing into others around the circle.
Variations
Easier
Use a 5-cup tower and require defenders to make 3 passes before throwing.
Standard
Seven cups, a 20 ft line and three steps for defenders.
Harder
The tower must be rebuilt in size or color order and the throwing line moves back to 26 ft.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student throws from closer and, on attack, is the designated builder who can't be tagged.
- Autism: explain both roles with a drawing and keep the student on the same team throughout.
- Lower skill level: allow rolling the ball to tag an attacker.
Learning goals
- Throw accurately at both still and moving targets.
- Organize team roles for building and distracting.
- Learn a traditional game from India and appreciate its team strategy.
Equipment for a class of 25
- stacking cups: 14
- foam balls: 2
- cones: 12
- pinnies: 13
Teacher tip
In India it's played with seven flat stones; stacking cups tip over easily and won't break. If attackers keep getting tagged, make the court bigger so they have room to escape.
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