Dandy shandy facts for kids

Dandy shandy is a fun game played mostly by kids, especially girls, in Jamaica. This island is in the Caribbean. People think children made up the game. It's not clear exactly when it started, but it has been played since at least the 1950s.

Rules of Dandy Shandy

How to Play

You need at least three players to play Dandy Shandy. Two players stand about 50 feet (15 meters) apart. They face each other and are called the "throwers." These two throwers work together as a team.

The third player is called the "dodger." The dodger runs back and forth between the two throwers. The throwers try to hit the dodger with a ball. The dodger's main goal is to avoid being hit by the ball as many times as possible.

A good strategy for the dodger is to stay far away from the thrower who has the ball. Every time the dodger successfully avoids a throw, they get a point. Throwers might pass the ball to each other. They do this to set up a better chance to hit the dodger.

Different Ways to Play

Dandy Shandy can be played in a few different ways. Sometimes, there can be several dodgers running between the throwers. The throwers try to get all the dodgers out quickly. If the last dodger can avoid ten throws in a row, they win the game.

The game can also be played with teams. This often happens when boys join in. One team of boys might play against a team of girls. Each team sends one dodger at a time. This dodger tries to avoid the throws from the other team's throwers. The team that gets the most dodgers to avoid ten throws in a row wins the game.

Skills You Need

Playing Dandy Shandy requires good athletic skills. Some throwers can throw the ball very fast. They might throw it as fast as 70 to 80 miles per hour (110 to 130 km/h). Throwers also need to be accurate. They must control their throws so the other thrower can catch the ball easily, even if they miss the dodger.

Good dodgers are usually very athletic. They run between the throwers while keeping their eyes on the ball. They might jump, leap, or even dive to get out of the way of an incoming throw. The ball used in the game is usually homemade. It is often made from a small paper carton filled with newspaper.