Hogpile
Players: 5 or more; Level 1 and up
Where: Indoors in a gym or outdoors
Equipment: One unicycle for each player, including (if possible) a variety of sizes and kinds: 16-inch, MUnis, giraffes, Ultimate Wheels, or other rideable items; music
Assistant: 1 person to run the music
Object:
At a signal, riders grab and ride whatever unicycle is available.
Play:
Put all the unicycles in a pile in the center of the playing area.
Choose a Leader and begin the music. The riders follow the Leader, who runs, walks, or skips around the playing area, away from the unicycles.
When the music stops, each player runs to the center, grabs one unicycle (not his or her own), mounts, and rides at least three revolutions. The first rider to touch a unicycle claims that one; another rider may not grab it away.
Any rider who fails to mount and ride after three tries (adjust this to fit the skill levels of the players if necessary) is out for the rest of that game.
Any rider who is eliminated chooses one unicycle to eliminate from play for the rest of that game. When just two riders remain, continue to play, increasing the difficulty of each round until one is eliminated.
Variations:
In this game, any number of riders, or no one, may be eliminated in any one round. To be certain of eliminating at least one rider per round, take away one unicycle before the round begins. Whoever is left without something to ride is then eliminated.
Choose two Leaders and create two circles around the unicycles, with riders of higher skill level in the outer circle. When the music stops, riders of lower skill level then have a chance to grab a unicycle before the higher level riders do.
Level Adjustments:
Level 6 and up: Riders may not grab a standard 20-inch unicycle, or must ride away going backwards, one-footing, or wheel walking.
For lower-level riders, allow them help with mounting.
Comments:
This game is played in the United Kingdom.
Contact: Carol McLean, unicyclecentral@hotmail.com