Outdoor Vilage Green

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The Village Green Collection

General Information
Team Games
Pairs Games
Team Game Selection Grids

Team Games Only

Team Games mixed with Pairs Games

Village Green

The Village Green collection of games is ideal for a healthy, outdoor event. All games demand no more than gentle exertion. First you need a suitably sized outdoor space or large garden lawn

Ground Markings. (see game layouts). Plastic discs mark out the boundaries. White dotted lines (unmarked) indicate where lines would normally be (replaced by honesty and good sportsmanship). Pegs and stakes will sometimes need to be used. However any markings are temporary, minimal and non-destructive.
Preparation - well mown grass (as specified) and clean playing areas.
Teams. Depending on team numbers, events will be either solely team based or a mix of team and pairs games. Teams consist of 6 players. Where a game would normally requires a greater number of players, then the playing area may be reduced accordingly.
Playing Time - Depending on fixture logic, team games will last either 1 hour or 40 mins. A 1 hour team game gives each player a little more participation time. A 40 minute team game however is long enough for a competitive taster. Pairs games will last for 20 minutes.
Safety - Many objects of varying size and weight will be moving through your playing space, so it is important for all players to strictly follow safety guidelines. Always wait for the active player to finish their turn before retrieving any items. The active player should also await for any necessary resetting of equipment before continuing their turn. Always ensure the playing space is clear before starting a turn. Non players should stay out of playing areas at all times. Only use equipment within the designated playing areas. It must be noted that the host will not be acting as a safety steward.

Pairs

Bocce

(not to be confused with Boccia)

Surface - Grass, reasonably flat and mowed.

Dimensions - Length 60 ft, Width 10 ft

bocce balls bocce colours court layout

There seems to be so many rules and versions of Bocce. Different throwing types, different court design and dimensions, marking and replacing balls, etc. We'll keep this simple.

A loose version of Open Bocce can be played within the bounds of a temporarily marked court (plastic disc markers). There are no side or back walls. The balls are without a bias. Balls can be ROLLED underarm from behind 6 ft line or THROWN underarm from behind 10 ft line. Scoring is similar to petanque and played from one end zone to the other.

Further Info - wikipedia

Horseshoes

Surface - Grass

Dimensions - approx 46 ft by 6 ft

horseshoes and stakes horseshoe in hand horseshoes layout

Four weighty steel horseshoes (two per player) are thrown at two stakes. Stakes are fixed at either end of the pitch with up to 40 feet between stakes. A shoe that encloses the stake is a ringer and scores 3 points, unless cancelled out by your opponent’s ringer. Shoes that land within 6 inches of the stake count as one point.

NB. The area around the stakes will of course be the same grassed area as the rest of the pitch.

Medieval Skittles

Surface - Grass, artificial surface

Dimensions - throwing distance of 15 ft

medieval skittles - spacing for outdoors skittles standing disc

When playing on grass the balls are launched full toss underarm to knock over the skittles. Each player has 2 balls on their turn. If the larger kingpin is knocked over it is worth 5 points. The smaller skittles are worth 1 point each. The winner is the player / team with the highest score after a set amount of turns.

When playing on grass, white discs are used (rightmost pic) for the skittles to stand on.

If playing on a level artificial surface then the indoor version can be played (see Pub and Parlour - Skittles).

Drop in Hood

Surface - Grass

'arrows' blunt end start a throw position before release

3 pointed projectiles are THROWN underarm into staked out target triangles. A variety of game formats are available, all playing to a set number of points or highest score after set numbe rof turns.

triangle targets (3 of) stake for triangles

Safety - common sense should be used when throwing sharpish (actually quite blunt) objects.

Smite

Surface - Grass (or indoors on carpet)

Dimensions - 13 foot throwing distance

smite set up smiter in hand 6 scored reset 8 scored for 8 skittle

Players alternate in throwing a lightweight baton (the smiter) underarm to knock over numbered skittles. If more than one skittle is knocked down that number is scored. If only one skittle is knocked down the number of the skittle is scored.

Rules - www.smiteonline.co.uk

Further Info - wikipedia (under Molkky)

Washer Pitching - One cup (USA)

Surface - Grass

Throwing Distance - 16 ft

one cup washer pitching washers 1 cup layout

3 washers each are thrown. Games are played to 21 up. 3 points are scored for each washer that rests in the cup and 1 pt for resting in the box. However, only the difference between scores is counted on each turn (only one player can score). So if one player had two washers in the box and the other had one washer in the box then player one scores one point.

Washer Pitching - One hole carpeted (USA)

Surface - Grass

Throwing Distance - 15 ft

one hole carpeted washers washer grip

washers 1 hole layout

Board surfaces are slightly angled towards the players. Play is to 21 up with 3 washers each. 3 points for each washer in the hole. 1 point for each washer resting on the board surface nearer than any opponent's washer (unless opponent has a washer in the hole). The same amount of opposing washers in the hole cancel each other out. Only one player can score per turn.

Washer Pitching - 3 hole carpeted (USA)

Surface - Grass

Throwing Distance - 10 ft

3 hole carpeted washers 3 hole washers layout colours available

21 up. 3 washers each. Boards are flat on the ground. Washers in the holes only score. The same amount of opposing washers in a hole cancel each other out. Both players can score on each turn. The furthest away hole counts 5, the middle 3 and the nearest 1 point. Washers are liable to bounce and skim off the board surfaces, so stand well away when not throwing.

Metal disc pitching - Palets sur planche (France)

Surface - Grass (or indoors on carpet)

Dimensions - 16 ft throwing distance

palets on board palets hat on master - indents

In the pairs game each player has 2 palets. The game is played to 12 up and scored as with petanque. The player / pair who is not nearest to the master (smaller disc) is always next to play until they are either nearer or have run out of palets to throw. Palets must land directly on the board but can be knocked off by subsequent throws.

Rope Quoits

Surface - Any

Dimensions - 8ft throwing distance

5 pin quoits 9 pin quoits

THROW rope quoits over wooden pins. Both 5-pins (4 quoits) and 9-pins (5 quoits) can be played.

Team Games Only
	60 min slot			40 min slot
Number of Teams	Select Team Games	Event Playing Time	Total Games Played	Select Team Games	Event Playing Time	Total Games Played
2 (12)	3	3 hrs	3
4 (24)	6	3 hrs	3
6 (36)	6	3 hrs	3	3	3 hrs 20	5
8 (48)				4	2 hrs 40	4
10 (60)				5	3 hrs 20	5
12 (72)				6	3 hrs 20	5

Team Games with Pairs Games
	60 min slot			40 min slot			Pairs Games - 20 min slots
Number of Teams	Select Team Games	Playing Time	Total Games Played	Select Team Games	Playing Time	Total Games Played	Select Pairs Games	Playing Time	Total Games Played	Event Playing Time
2 (12)	2	2 hrs	2				3	1 hr	3	3 hrs
4 (24)	3	2 hrs	2				3	1 hr	3	3 hrs
4 (24)	2	2 hrs	2				3	2 hrs	6	4 hrs
4 (24)	2	2 hrs	2				6	2 hrs	6	4 hrs
6 (36)	2	2 hrs	2				3	1 hr	3	3 hrs
8 (48)	2	2 hrs	2				6	2 hrs	6	4 hrs
8 (48)	3	3 hrs	3				3	1 hr	3	4 hrs
10 (60)				3	2 hrs	3	6	1 hr 20	4	3 hrs 20
12 (72)				6	2 hrs 40	4	6	40 mins	2	3 hrs 20

Team Games

Skittles

Bat and Ball

Throwing Games

Long Alley Skittles

Bat and Trap

Stoolball

Bunnock

Kubb

Tournament of Knights

Aunt Sally

Pairs Games

Bowls / Balls

Skittles

Pitching Discs

Throwing Games

Bocce (Open)

Smite

Medieval Skittles

Palets sur planche

Washer Pitching (1 cup)

Washer Pitching (1 hole)

Washer Pitching (3 holes)

Rope Quoits

Drop in Hood

Horseshoes

Village Green

Requirements

Transport

Estate Car or small van (unless stated for individual game)

Selections

Select just team games or team games with pairs games from the selection grids below.

Team Games

Bunnock (Canada)

Surface - Grass / shale / artificial surface / carpet

Dimensions - 32 ft 6 - between Bunnock lines

bunnock line bunnock guard bunnock in hand

In teams of 6 each player, in turn, has two red bunnock to throw underarm (3 players per turn). Once the outside, black, guard bunnocks have been legitimately knocked down, then the 10 white, soldier bunnocks can be thrown at. Each team is allowed equal turns to knock down all the bunnock.

Rules - www.bunnock.com

Stool Ball

Surface - Grass. Could be played on an artificial surface large enough.

Dimensions - 95 yard diameter field is the size of the field for a full 11-a-side game. However, for a reduced team game of 6-a-side the field size can be reduced to fit the space available. The pitch itself (the part of the field comparable to a cricket square) is of a set dimension of 16 yards between wickets. Unlike cricket, the batter doesn't mark the ground with his bat to take his guard. The grass itself only requires a good mowing. Throw-down coloured court markers are used for the bowling creases (so there is no damage to the pitch).

stoolball wickets wicket base bats bat in hand ball stoolball - temporary bowling crease

A simple to play cricket like game. The bowler has 8 balls an over to bowl underarm from 10 yards at the 1 foot square wicket (4 ft 8" high - 2 wickets should fit in an estate car). The black mark on the upright is used to decide on no balls. The batsman hits the ball with his bat and runs between wickets to score runs. If running sounds too energetic then a team mate may be employed as a runner. As mentioned above, the boundary line (for fours and sixes) will be brought in to suit reduced teams of six.

Rules - www.stoolball.co.uk

www.mastersgames.co.uk

Bat and Trap (Garden) (Kent)

Surface - Grass - well mown area. An artificial surface would also be suitable.

Dimensions - Length 21 yards (63 ft). Width 13 ft 6.

The corners of the pitch are marked by painted stumps.

bat strike trap trap wicket pitch layout

First - there is no running involved. The ball is placed in a depression and released by STRIKING the red coloured part of the wooden lever with the side of the bat. The ball springs into the air to be HIT towards the other end of pitch. To score a run the ball must cross the line between the 2 posts 21 yards away. The fielding side then bowls the ball underarm to try to knock down the wooden flap (marked with a black circle). You may have seen Paddy McGuinness enjoying this in Kent on 'Rory and Paddy' s Great British Adventure' . Get in!!!

Rules - www.batandtrap.org.uk

www.mastersgames.co.uk

Further Info - wikipedia

Aunt Sally (Oxford)

Surface - Grass. The intervening surface between thrower and target is not so important.

Dimensions - Length (throwing distance) 30 ft. Plus a yard or so behind the target. Width 9 ft.

doll on post doll on swivel arm batons baton in hand direct hit

aunt sally pitch

6 hefty batons are THROWN to dislodge the aunt sally doll from off its platform. The platform is affixed to a swivel arm at the top of a metal pole. The doll must be hit directly to count. Total number of hits counts towards the team score.

Rules - www.mastersgames.co.uk

Long Alley Skittles (Midlands)

Surface - Grass. The standing area for the skittles (not on a board as below) should be well mown.

Dimensions - 30 ft throwing distance. Skittles are set out in a 4 ft diamond (directly on the grass) with approx 20" between each skittle.

long alley kingpin ball in hand skittle standing disc

3 large wooden balls are THROWN underarm full toss into the skittles. Players compete directly against a player on the opposing team. The player who downs the most skittles scores a point for their team. The skittles will not be placed on a board when on grass. Instead white discs are used (right most pic) for the skittles to stand on.

Rules - www.mastersgames.co.uk

Tournament of Knights

Surface - Grass - a reasonably level area

Dimensions - Length 19 ft 6. Width 13 ft

knights lady and balls ball in hand triangle target 3 triangles flags