Tangana Knockdown Toss
A version of tangana, a traditional European tossing game where players knock over a cylinder topped with coins and win the coins that land closer to their own token than to the cylinder. Students work on accuracy, judging distance and taking turns.
How to play
- Set up 5 stations. At each, stand a recycled bottle (the tangana) with 3 poly spots on top (the coins) and chalk a line 13 ft away. Groups of 5 per station.
- Each player has one beanbag (their token). Taking turns, they toss underhand from the line trying to knock over the tangana.
- If it falls, look at each coin: any coin closer to the thrower's beanbag than to the bottle is theirs. The rest go back on top of the bottle.
- If it doesn't fall, the beanbag stays on the ground; it can still count if someone knocks the bottle over later and a coin lands near it.
- A round ends when all 3 coins are won. Reset and the next player starts. Play for 10 minutes and count coins won.
- Last 6 minutes: rotate stations with a twist at each: line at 16 ft, non-dominant hand or seated toss.
Rules
- Always toss underhand from behind the line.
- Settle close calls by measuring with heel-to-toe steps or a rope.
- Nobody picks up a beanbag until the round is over.
- Safety: waiting players stay behind the line and nobody goes near the bottle while someone is tossing.
Variations
Easier
Move the line to 10 ft and give a coin just for knocking the bottle down.
Standard
Line at 13 ft and coins go to whoever's beanbag is closer than the bottle.
Harder
Line at 20 ft and the beanbag must land inside a 6 ft chalk circle around the bottle.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student tosses seated with the line 3 ft closer and a partner hands them the beanbags.
- Visual impairment: a partner taps the bottle before each toss and describes where the coins landed.
- Autism: track each player's coins on a card so the count is clear.
Learning goals
- Adjust toss force to knock down a target.
- Estimate and compare distances honestly.
- Learn a traditional tossing game from small European towns.
Equipment for a class of 25
- recycled bottles: 5
- poly spots: 15
- beanbags: 25
- chalk: 5
Teacher tip
It was originally played with iron discs and real coins; beanbags don't roll and keep it safe. Settle distance arguments by measuring, never by eye.
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