Streetplay Discussions
How about Red Rover? You…
How about Red Rover? You form two lines opposite each other and everyone holds hands on one line. Someone from the line holding hands says, “Red Rover Red Rover send (Ann-Marie) over!” I as the chosen one had to charge to the other side and attempt to break through the hands of two of the opponents. If I didn’t break through, I would have to join their line. If I did, I could rejoin my side and wait for them to call the next person over. The game was played until the last player joins the line holding hands. Or until enough people got hurt to quit the game, lol!
On beach 79th street in…
We used to play stickball…
We used to play stickball all the time at ps85 schoolyard on Webster Ave. and 187 st.in the Bronx Most of the time we did’nt use any gloves but we made some pretty spectactular catches with our bare hands.There was one occasion I will never forget,this one day we were playing in the street at 182 st.We were getting a game together and we kept asking this guy (Ithink his name was Red) if he wanted to play. He said no thanks because he usually would end up breaking the ball. Well we all thought he was bragging and we finnally got him to play.When it was his turn to bat,he tossed the ball in the air and swung at the ball so hard and you guessed it he broke the ball in half. My mouth dropped in awe,Ihave never seen anything like that happen before or sinse.
When I was growing up in…
When I was growing up in Australia we used to draw the hopscotch in the dirt at a particular time of the year, which was the season. It was used by us so often that the squares became dented and the outline didnt go away for a long time. We used stones or bits of broken smoothed glass found lying around the school yard probably. I dont remember having a circle at the end of the game to turn around in, we just used to jump around in the 7/8 squares.
I am in Australia and am…
I am in Australia and am trying to kindle an interest in jumping rope with the grade 2 – 5s at my local school. I would like a few songs to get the children going. All I can remember is part of a song which had ‘high low jolly pepper’ in it. Does anybody have any universal songs for me please? Also, we used to play ‘elastics’ which was with a long piece of sewing elastic made in a loop; one person at each end and the player started off with the elastic at the ankles and had a series of jumping activities to perform including tucking one side of the elastic over the feet and jumping over the other side of the elastic and somehow jumping out of the tucked in piece.They then moved up to the knees, hips, neck etc. This sounds really complicated, but when you visualise doing it, its not!! I hope someone else from Australia finds this site who knows what I’m talking about. Anyway, thanks for an interesting site, don’t forget about those skipping rope songs please.
I am 71 years old and lived…
I know the game originated…
I know the game originated in one or all of the 5 boroughs, but I learned the game from friends in my neighborhood on Long Island. I have fond memories of hot summer days playing ‘skelly’. I wish I could have had this information 20 years ago when my own kids were growing up – I guess I’m going to have to teach my grandchildren! Thanks for the site.
I commend you on a fascinating…
I commend you on a fascinating web site. I recommend that you bring the discussions (or best of) to the fore. The many wonderful stories and memories are buried beneath your opening pages. You might want to think of a little more cross-referencing. Keywords in a reminiscence can ‘remind’ you to check out another category by clicking on the keyword (stickball, choosing-up, schoolyards, etc.) Thanks for all the work you’ve done and best of luck. -TJ