Tip-cat facts for kids

Tip–cat being played. From A Little Pretty Pocket-Book, 1767

Tip-cat is a fun outdoor game. It is also known by names like cat or piggy. This game involves hitting a small piece of wood with a larger stick. The small wood piece is called the "cat." It is shaped so it can be easily flicked into the air. Once in the air, players try to hit it far away with the larger stick. It's a bit like hitting a baseball or cricket ball.

How to Play Tip-Cat

Playing Tip-cat is simple and fun. Here are the basic rules for the most common version:

• First, the player places the "cat" (the small wood piece) inside a small circle drawn on the ground.
• The player then uses the larger stick to tap one end of the "cat." This makes the "cat" jump or "tip up" into the air.
• While the "cat" is still in the air, the player quickly swings the larger stick. The goal is to hit the "cat" as far as possible.
• An opponent then looks at where the "cat" landed. They guess how many "hops" or "jumps" it would take to cover that distance. They offer this number as points to the player who hit the "cat."
• If the player thinks the opponent guessed too low, they can refuse the offer. Then, they measure the distance themselves by jumping. They score the number of jumps they make.

Different Ways to Play

Many countries and regions have their own versions of Tip-cat. These variations often have different rules or names.

Walsall Version

In the 1950s, people in Walsall, England, played a special version.

• This game used stumps and bails, like in cricket.
• However, these stumps were leaned against a wall, as the game was played in the street.
• The goal was to hit the "cat" towards the stumps. Players tried to knock off the bails.
• Opposing players could try to catch the "cat" while it was flying.

Other Similar Games

Many games around the world are similar to Tip-cat. They all involve hitting a small object with a stick.

• Gillidanda is played in southern Europe and the Indian subcontinent.
• Țurca is a popular game in Romania and Moldavia.
• Cead, or Cleas na Slise is the Irish version of the game.
• Jachigi is a similar game played in South Korea.
• Alak Dolak is a game from Iran.
• Knurr and Spell was played in West Yorkshire, England.
• Nipsi is played in Deitsch communities.