Takourt: Traditional Amazigh Field Hockey

A traditional game of the Amazigh (Berber) people of southern Morocco, similar to field hockey, in which two teams hit a rag ball with curved sticks to drive it over the other team's end line. It builds striking with an implement, dribbling and fair play.

How to play

1. Share the origin: in Amazigh villages of southern Morocco, people play takourt in the fields with curved branch sticks and a ball of wool or rags, often at festivals. Mark a 100 x 60 foot field with cones; the entire end lines are the goals.
2. Make 4 teams of 6 in pinnies; two games run at the same time on two fields, or one game runs while the other two teams do dribbling challenges on the sideline.
3. Start in the center: one player from each team taps sticks with the opponent three times on the floor, then tries to hit the ball.
4. The ball is dribbled or passed by hitting it along the ground with the stick. A team scores when the ball rolls over the opponent's end line, hit from within 25 feet.
5. After each goal, restart from the center. If the ball goes out on the side, the other team restarts from that spot with a ground pass.
6. Play 5-minute games and rotate teams: the winner moves to the other field or the sideline. Play about 4 games per team.

Rules

• Safety: the stick never goes above the waist, while hitting or after.
• No hitting the opponent's stick and no body contact; to steal, play the ball.
• No one may stay within 10 feet of their own end line to guard it the whole time.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: use a longer stick in a set zone of the field where they can't be stolen from for 3 seconds.
• Visual impairment: use a sound ball and a teammate guide who calls their name.
• Skill level: the most skilled players may only hit with the reverse side of the stick or pass, not score.

Learning goals

• Strike and dribble a ball with an implement while controlling direction.
• Follow safety and fair play rules in a team game.
• Learn about a traditional Amazigh game from North Africa.

Equipment for a class of 25

• sticks: 24
• soft balls: 2
• cones: 16
• pinnies: 24

Teacher tip

Before the game, spend 4 minutes on free dribbling so students get used to the stick.

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