How to play Frisbee Horseshoes

This game has many names including, Pole-ish horseshoes, French darts, Spanish horseshoes, and Beersbee. Combining Frisbee-throwing, horseshoes and social interaction, Frisbee-21 has been ordained as the newest of games in the area, and it might spring up at a tailgate party or backyard barbecue near you. It is normally a drinking game but I have changed parts of the game to work in P.E. classrooms.

By Hart Fowler | Special to The Roanoke Times | I Shannon Grate

WHAT YOU NEED

  • 4 players (2 per team)
  • 2 wiffle balls or something like that.
  • Frisbee
  • 2 poles (PVC pipe or something similar), each 4 feet, 8 inches high or close to it. Pole must also be able to balance a ball on top, and flimsy enough so the ball will fall when struck by the Frisbee. Usually 1 or 1 ½ inch PVC is fine.
  • Space: Roughly 40 or 50 feet of distance between poles. This can change depending on the abilities of your students. The poles fit perfectly inside of orange cones. The top of the cones indicates the scratch line.
  • Students should be holding an object like an eraser or something the size of a pop can in one of their hands at all times.

THE RULES

  • A ball is placed atop each of 2 poles.
  • An object like an eraser or water bottle must remain in the hand of each participant while the game is being played, both when throwing and receiving. This rule is essential, forcing partners to use teamwork to make the catch while only using one hand each.
  • Teams of two stand behind their pole, facing their opponents. The Frisbee is thrown at the opponents' pole from behind your own pole, with the goal being to knock the ball to the ground with the toss. Teammates alternate throws.
  • When receiving, either player may catch the Frisbee but only using one hand.

KEEPING SCORE

(Points awarded to the throwing side)

  • 3 points: If the Frisbee AND the ball hit the ground.
  • 2 points: If the Frisbee is caught and only the ball falls to the ground.
  • 1 point: If the ball is caught and the Frisbee is dropped.
  • 1 point: If the receivers fail to catch a reasonably thrown Frisbee that passes in the plane -- judged at the players' discretion, because this should be a friendly game. If a catch is made, no points are scored.
  • Scratch! No points for a Frisbee that hits the pole below the scratch line.
  • -3 points: Penalty for reaching past the pole into the marked plane.

KEEP IN MIND

  • Good teams work together to catch the ball and the Frisbee after a hit of the pole to save points. One player catching the ball with a ricocheting Frisbee makes for an exciting play.
  • Causing your own ball to fall while trying to catch a Frisbee is also worth two points for the throwers.
  • Frisbee-21 has also been played with two Frisbees, which both teammates throw each turn. I don’t usually play it like that.
  • Hard throws don't make for a good game. After all, this is supposed to be a leisurely afternoon Frisbee game. Any hard throws will not be counted. If an opponent has to jump or take more than one step to the outside of the pole, the throw should not be counted.
  • When passing the Frisbee off to your partner if you drop it, it counts as one point for your opponents.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

Just give Shannon Grate a call at 316-648-7509 or go to youtube and type in “How to play polish horseshoes. There are a lot of great videos to be found.