HOOP AND POLE GAME
Many of the tribes on the plains practiced this game for
enjoyment as well as for the development of archery skills. The object of
the game was to shoot at a small moving hoop. The game was usually played
in the spring, when the ground was still hard.
EQUIPMENT
- 4 arrows per player
- A bow for each player
- A hoop about one foot in diameter, made from willow branches,
leaving a small hole in the center.
HOW TO PLAY
- The game is played between two teams, each comprised
of two to four men. The two teams stand thirty to forty feet apart from
each other.
- One player from Team A rolls the hoop for Team B. The
shooting side must have an arrow stuck in the hoop to count.
- If the team makes a hit, the team receives another chance
to shoot. If they make another hit, each player of the opposing team shoots
an arrow over them.
- The game ends when one team is out of ammunition.
VARIATIONS
- Two Hoops in One: George Seesequasis of Beardy's Reserve
describes another way hoops can be made. Make two rings by binding peeled
willow branches with sinew. One should be much smaller than the other.
Place the small ring inside the large one and bind it in place with willow
bark. Points are awarded in the following manner: 10 points - an arrow
shot through the centre, or hitting the smaller ring; 5 points - hitting
the bark; 1 point - hitting the outer hoop.
- Rolling Game: This game does not make use of a bow and
arrow. Instead, the players use long pointed darts, which are thrown at
the hoop. The dart is approximately three feet in length, pointed on one
end and with little fork - like projects on the other end. The game begins
much like the standard method explained above. If a hit was made through
the center hole it was called a "heart". If the dart hit the
net the score was called a "claw". Whenever a hit is made, a
player from the scoring side grabs the hoop and chases the opposing players.
If he is able to touch an opposing player, that player has to retire from
the game. When only one player remains to be touched with the hoop, he
wins the game for his team.
- Free Shot: In this game, the arrow must be caught in
the mesh to count as points. When a hit is made, the hoop is placed on
a peg or leaned against a tree. All the members of the team who made the
hit are allowed one "free shot". For each arrow that sticks on
the hoop, the team receives one arrow from the opposing team.
- Jim Kahneeptaytayo remembers another method of scoring.
If a team doesn't hit the hoop when it rolls past, the team must give 10
arrows to their opponents.
