LUKSONG TINIK (JUMPING OVER THORNS)

Luksong tinik (English: "jumping over thorns") is a popular game

 in the Philippines. It is originated in Cabanatuan city, Philippines,

played by two teams with equal numbers of players. Each team

 designates a leader, the nanay (mother), while the rest of

 the players are called anak (children). The players

chosen to be nanay are usually the ones who can jump

 the highest. The game involves players sitting on the

 ground and other players jumping over parts of their body.

Minimum number of players: usually 3 but 2 can also work

(more players is usually much more fun!)

Equipment required: a grassy field with lots of room to run and tumble

First children decide among themselves who will play first and

who will be the two who will act as the “thorns” in the game.

Thorns have a very important as well as difficult task in the game.

 Jumpers take turns passing the levels. The jumpers form a

queue and the thorns take their position.

The “thorns” (A & B) sit, facing each other with the soles of

their feet touching. This is the first level that jumpers must

successfully jump through without touching any of their body

parts with those of the thorns’ body parts.

Next level the two thorns must adjust their distance a bit towards

each other so they can comfortably and successfully create level 2,

where one of “thorn A’s” foot is used as base, and another

of “thorn B’s” foot as the second level above the base.

Then it is thorn A’s foot as base, thorn B’s foot as second layer of

base then thorn A’s other foot as 3rd level.

Then is is both A and B’s feet alternating to create level 4. Then it

is all four feet plus thorn A’s hand: Level 5. A & B’s feet and one

 hand each: Level 6. A& B’s feet and two of A’s hands and B’s one

 hand: Level 7. Finally Level 8 has all four hands and feet alternating.

Successful jumpers are cleared and pass on to the next level. The group

decides how many tries will be given for each attempt. For example, you

get one more try. So if you were unsuccessful the first attempt, you step

 aside and wait till everyone has their turn jumping over the “thorns”.

After this, all the unsuccessful ones take their second attempt.

If you still did not clear that level, you are out of the game and

 spend the remaining time watching the rest of the kids complete

 all the rounds. Then you are candidate for the thorns so that

the thorns of the current game can take their turn as jumpers

in the next game.