HORSESHOES

Horseshoes is a popular backyard, recreational and tournament game Horseshoes is a popular backyard, recreational and tournament game. It involves throwing horseshoes toward a small post for points, where the point value is based on how close the horseshoe lands to the post. Why Play Horseshoes? EXERCISE: Throwing, bending, walking MAKING FRIENDS: COMPETITION: Can be fun or as serious as you want. AGE/GENDER: There’s no advantage of being young or old, male or female.

The game of horseshoes is thought to have descended from the ancient Greek sport of the discus throw. The story is that Greeks developed a sport where the discus was thrown at a stake. But many of the poorer people could not afford the discus so they used cast off horseshoes instead. Horseshoes in the United States was probably played by Union soldiers during the American Civil War playing the game with the discarded shoes of mules. The first world championship of horseshoe pitching took place in 1910 in Bronson, Kansas. It is estimated that more than 10 million people play horseshoes every year.

This game often is played with just two players (singles version) This game often is played with just two players (singles version). However, people also may play horseshoes with teams. This version of horseshoes is called doubles. It has most of the same rules as singles horseshoes, with some minor differences. The Pitching Court is 27 feet from foul line to stake/post. Before game play, player or teams must flip a coin. The player or team that wins the flip decides whether they want to pitch first or second. (Wasatch PE class –do rock paper scissors) in order to determine who throws first.

Play begins with one (pitcher) standing on the platform (starting spot) and throwing one horseshoe at the post. Next player repeats his throw. First player then throws his 2nd horseshoe at the post and the 2nd player then throws his 2nd horseshoe at the post. Shoes aren't to be moved until points have been scored.

The goal is to either "ring" the pin with the shoe or land as close as possible. A horseshoe that encircles the pin is called a "ringer" and is worth three points. One point is awarded to the player whose shoe is within 6 inches (or width of horseshoe) of the pin if there are no ringers. Two points are awarded if one player's shoes are closer to the pin than his opponent's. Leaners are worth two points. If throws are identical, the points cancel out each other.

Players generally pitch until one acquires 40 points and wins the game Players generally pitch until one acquires 40 points and wins the game. Players agree on points awarded. Games are usually played to 40 points. (Wasatch PE- play to 20 points, First player or team to reach 20 points wins. In the event of a tie, player or teams must play one extra set of throws. Etiquette: Stand quietly, 2 feet behind opposite platform when not pitching. Be a good sport— win or lose. Encourage and help each other to learn and enjoy the game.

Horseshoe Pitching Clinic 3 GRIPs 3/4, Flip or Reverse 3/4 Flip Commentary • The grip is a personal thing as is all the other parts of delivering a shoe to the stake. • Whether your turn is as little as 1/4 turn or as much as 2-1/2 turns, it will be regulated by the position of the hand on the shoe and the angle at which the shoe leaves your hand. For example, the turn and a quarter can be held fairly flat during the release and will angle during the swing. Attempting to hold the shoe flat throughout the swing will destroy the alignment. • Use the shoe weight as much as possible in making the shoe turn. This will make your pitch easier and help in the development of a natural turn. Success in using the shoe weight in your turn depends on how much you use the weight in your swing. Just as in bowling, getting the shoe out away from the body and letting it drop will cause an increase in momentum, which in turn develops a natural release and turn. 3/4 Reverse 3/4 Horseshoe Pitching Clinic

Horseshoe Pitching Clinic Prepare to pitch STANCE: Placement of feet: side by side, or left foot in front, or in back of right. Good balance Allow for one step, and enough room so foul line won’t be stepped on. Preparing to pitch. Getting comfortable with good balance. Stare at the stake. Take Aim. Take a deep breath. Block out distractions. Commentary • Just where you stand at the start of your step will depend on the length of your stride. Stand so that the step will carry the front foot almost to the foul line. If you have a short stride stand even with the stake. If you have a long stride back up as far as you must to avoid stepping on the foul line. • Right handed pitchers should stand on the left side of the stake. It is permissible to pitch from the other side, but if you do pitch from the right side be sure to do so at both ends of the court. The opposite is true for left handed pitchers. • World Champion right hander Curt Day pitched a 3/4 reverse and stood on the “wrong” side of the pit to pitch. • It is recommended that you adopt a stance which is comfortable and stay with it. Horseshoe Pitching Clinic

Horseshoe Pitching Clinic Front Swing of your Arm The swing forward should bring the shoe to eye level and is usually shoulder high, in-line with the stake, in front of you. Distance can vary up and down on the stake if you are in-line constantly. Horseshoe Pitching Clinic

Horseshoe Pitching Clinic Back Swing of the Arm The backswing is the beginning of the step, delivery, and follow through. Weight should be distributed equally between the two feet in such a way that the pitcher feels perfectly balanced. The weight must shift to the right foot as the step begins toward the target stake just as though the pitcher were starting to walk. The knees bend and the pitcher leans forward as the backswing begins. The arm and the shoe should fall freely and close to the leg and should define an arc which is in line with the target stake. Any length of backswing will be satisfactory. The height of the back swing is usually when your arm is parallel to the ground or comfortably behind you. Horseshoe Pitching Clinic

Horseshoe Pitching Clinic Release and Lift At the height of the front swing, shoulder high, let go of the shoe. Elbow should bend as arm goes up. No stiff arm release. The shoe will not turn at all if you hold it level and release it without dragging your fingers and/or rolling your forearm. A higher shoe is better than a low shoe. You always have a chance of catching the stake with a high shoe. Don’t be short. Horseshoe Pitching Clinic

The follow through is important because it is here where the finishing touch is put on the pitch. Once you have turned the shoe loose, its fate is decided. The shoe goes exactly where you pitch it. The lift of the shoe must come from the whole body as the knees straighten, rather from too much arm motion. The height of the shoe should vary from seven to ten feet. The shoe should not be gripped too tightly. The more simple the delivery, the less chance for error. Follow Through Commentary •