Pencil fighting facts for kids
Pencil fighting is a fun game where two players try to break each other's pencils. It's a simple challenge of skill and strength, often played quickly with friends.
Contents
What is Pencil Fighting?
Pencil fighting is a game played by two people. Each player uses a pencil. The main goal is to break your opponent's pencil before they break yours. It's a test of who has the stronger pencil or the better technique!
How to Play the Game
Players take turns. One player holds their pencil flat (horizontally) using both hands. The other player then flicks their own pencil at it. The aim is to hit the opponent's pencil hard enough to snap it.
Playing Fair and Avoiding Fouls
Sometimes, players might try to cheat. This is called a "foul play." Examples include hitting someone's fingers on purpose or dropping your pencil to avoid a hit. If a foul happens, the player who cheated might have to let their opponent get an extra free strike on their pencil. This helps keep the game fair for everyone.
Staying Safe While Playing
Like many games, pencil fighting has some small risks. When pencils break, tiny pieces of wood or graphite (the writing part) can fly off. It's important to be careful to avoid these pieces from getting into your eyes. Always play responsibly and be aware of your surroundings.
The History of Pencil Fighting
Pencil fighting became very popular around the late 1970s. Students in elementary, middle, and high schools loved playing it. Even though teachers sometimes didn't approve, kids found ways to play.
How it Started and Grew
The game was known by other names too, like "Pencil Break" or "Cracks." Students would often buy, find, or trade special pencils. They looked for pencils known for being strong and flexible. Some pencils could bend a lot without breaking, which was great for hitting hard. Kids would simply hold out their pencil, and others would know it meant "Do you want to play?"
Popular Pencils and Playing Styles
Competitions happened everywhere: in hallways, bathrooms, schoolyards, and even on the bus. Games were usually very fast, often lasting less than a minute. Players especially enjoyed breaking new or freshly sharpened pencils. Some players even removed the eraser and shaped the metal part to make their hits stronger. Others might chew on their pencil to make the wood tougher. However, having good technique was usually more important than the type of pencil you used. Skilled players could make their pencils last through many games.
The World Extreme Pencil Fighting League
Today, there's even an organized league for pencil fighting! It's called the World Extreme Pencil Fighting League (WXPFL). This league started in Seattle, Washington, and holds competitions.
Rules and Competitions
WXPFL events are like a show, sometimes with wrestling-style theatrics. They use standard No. 2 pencils, and only the referee can give out the pencils. Referees watch the games closely. There are rules against slowing down the game, tilting your pencil, or dropping it. If a player breaks a rule, their opponent might get a free strike. The champion of the league even gets a special championship belt!
