Duck on a rock facts for kids

Duck on a rock is a really old children's game from the Middle Ages. It's a fun mix of tag and trying to hit a target by throwing. This game was so interesting that it even inspired James Naismith when he created the rules for modern basketball.

How to Play Duck on a Rock

To play "Duck on a rock," you need a medium-sized stone, which is called the "duck." You also need a bigger stone or a tree stump to place the "duck" on.

One player becomes the "guard." Their job is to stay near the "duck" and protect it. All the other players stand at a throwing line. They try to throw their own stones at the "duck." The goal is to knock the "duck" off its platform.

If someone knocks the "duck" off, all the throwers quickly run to get their stones back. The guard tries to tag them. If a player gets tagged before they can get back to the throwing line with their stone, they become the new guard. The guard cannot tag anyone until they put the "duck" back onto its platform.

How Duck on a Rock Inspired Basketball

In 2006, something very cool was found! James Naismith's granddaughter discovered his old notes and rules for basketball. These were hidden in boxes in her basement.

In these old papers, Naismith wrote about playing "Duck on a rock" when he was a kid. He remembered how much fun it was. He used ideas from this simple game to help him create the rules for basketball. It shows how old games can inspire new ones!