Potato Shuttle Relay

Source: Games For The Playground, Home, School And Gymnasium
Category: MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVE GAMES



_20 to 100 players._

_Playground; gymnasium; seashore._

This first description is for an informal game. This is followed by
rules for an athletic contest.

This is a form of potato race suitable for large numbers. The ground
is marked off with two starting lines, one at either end of the
ground. At even intervals between these two lines a row of from four
to ten spots should be clearly marked on the ground, each row forming
a line at right angles to the starting lines. There should be as many
rows of this kind as there are teams.

On the first spot of each row should be placed a box, basket, or pail,
and in it three or more potatoes, according to the number of spots.
Stones may be used, blocks of wood, or any other uniform objects as a
substitute for potatoes, but the latter are best.

The players are divided into two or more equal groups, and each group
is subdivided as for a shuttle relay into two divisions. One division
of each group stands in single file behind the starting line at one
end of the ground, the other division facing it in single file behind
the opposite starting line. Between the two divisions should stretch
the row of spots. The receptacle should be on the spot near the first
runner.

At a signal, the first runner of each team starts over the line, takes
a potato from the box, places it on the first spot, returns, gets
another potato, places it on another spot, and so on until all are
placed; he need not observe strictly the consecutive order of the
spots. He then runs forward and touches the outstretched hand of the
first runner in the opposite file of his team. This runner must pick
up the potatoes and replace them in the box one at a time, and then
"touch off" the player facing him in the opposite file. Each player,
as he finishes his part ("touches off" the next runner), should leave
the running space entirely and not line up with his team. The line
nearest the box serves as a finish line, and the team wins whose last
runner, having replaced the last potato, is first to get over this
line.

If a potato be dropped, the runner must pick it up and replace it in
the box or on the spot, then make his play over again.

The above description is for a comparatively informal game.
For a strict athletic contest for junior players the following
rules, used by the Girls' Branch of the Public Schools Athletic
League, New York City, are given


The laying out of the grounds should be for four spots in each
row, two yards between each, with the starting lines two yards
back of the first and fourth spots. The receptacle is placed on
the spot nearest the first runners, and should be a pail,
basket, box, or can, not over twenty-four inches in
circumference at the opening. Three potatoes are used.

The first runners start on signals, "On your marks!" "Get set!"
(or "Get ready!") "Go!" There should be a judge to score fouls
for each division of each team, and two judges at the finish.

In case of a tie, the tied teams play again.

Fouls consist in: 1. Placing a potato otherwise than on the
mark. 2. Leaving a potato outside the receptacle instead of in
it, whether it be dropped outside or bound out. 3. Starting
over the line without the "touch off." Any foul corrected
before going on with the next step in the game does not score
as a foul. Teams win in the order of finishing, plus
consideration of the record on fouls. Thus, a team finishing
fourth, with no fouls, would get first place, if the teams
finishing first, second, and third all had fouls.

Teams Order of Finishing Number of Fouls Order of Winning

A 1 8 Fourth place
B 3 3 Third place
C 4 0 First place
D 2 3 Second place


Next: Potato Spoon Race

Previous: Potato Rac

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