The game of Five Rocks is played in many countries throughout the world and was introduced first to the Cross Fire ‘03/’04 team by Sunitha Mortha on the date of 16 September 2003 at Camp Wapo. The days to follow saw this game invade Cross Cultural Training. Most teamers could be found toting five rocks in their pockets and dropping to the floor for a few rounds whenever a few free minutes would turn up. To feed the frenzy, Matt Canniff-Kuhn organized a tournament to be held on the final day of training, 19 September 2003. Deron Vaupel, of Kindred ‘03/’04, after defeating all three Cross Fire guys, claimed the championship. Deron then advanced to the Sunitha Showdown, the culmination of the tournament to be held that evening. After an opening prayer by Matt C-K, Deron and Sunitha faced one another on the playing area drawn out with masking tape and lit by flood lights. All eyes were upon them as Sunitha, five rocker since childhood, claimed the victory. Since then, Five Rocks has proved to be an amazing ministry tool, allowing children and adults alike to enjoy fellowship with teamers.

Selection of Rocks

As you begin searching for your rocks, let me offer several helpful thoughts.

Size

Try to ensure that each rock is of a similar size to the others. Choose a set of five rocks that you can comfortably hold in one hand. If you can make a fist around the rocks and nearly hide them, then you have found decent sized rocks. Larger rocks may be easier to pick up, but can be difficult to catch and to hold. Smaller rocks may be easier to hold, but can be difficult to pick up. Find a happy medium with which you are comfortable.

Five RocksShape

Flat rocks can be difficult to pick up. Round rocks may roll to easily. Try to find rocks that have irregular edges, while still maintaining a somewhat regular shape. Make sense of that? As you play, you will soon learn what rocks will suit you best in certain situations.

Texture

The texture of your rocks may very well come down to personal preference. Smooth rocks can be a joy to handle, whereas rougher rocks might offer a slight gripping advantage.

Color

It doesn’t make much difference what color your rocks are. However, a pretty set of rocks can be quite intimidating to an opponent.

Selection of Playing Surface

When selecting a playing surface, take note that rough surfaces can make picking up rocks difficult and that surfaces too smooth may make it difficult to control sliding rocks. Try a variety of surfaces and environments such as concrete, shag carpet, rock-colored walls, or a 15-passenger van bed to challenge yourself.

Rules of Play

Begin by having ‘five rockers’ sit in a circle. Choose who will begin play. This five rocker will begin ‘rocking’ at 1’s (see levels below). If this player successfully completes 1’s, they then proceed to 2’s. They will continue proceeding through the levels until they fault. Once a five rocker faults, rocking passes to the left around the circle. When play returns to a rocker, they will begin play at the level on which they faulted. A player may score once they have completed all levels (see scoring level below). After scoring, a player returns to 1’s and continues again through the levels. Rocking may continue for a set period of time or a set number of rounds. The winner may be the player with the highest score or the player who has proceeded furthest.

Faults

A player can fault in several ways:

  • By dropping the rock that is being tossed.
  • By touching a rock that is not in play for a certain toss.
  • By causing a rock to move when selecting the rock to toss .
  • By not picking up or moving a rock when called for.

THE RULE:  IF YOU HAVE TO ASK, THE ANSWER IS NO!

Levels

One’s
  1. Roll rocks onto the floor.
  2. Choose rock to toss.
  3. Toss rock, pick up one rock, catch rock tossed.
  4. Repeat third step for three remaining rocks.
Two’s
  1. Roll rocks onto the floor.
  2. Choose rock to toss.
  3. Toss rock, pick up two rocks, catch rock tossed.
  4. Repeat third step.
Three’s
  1. Roll rocks onto the floor.
  2. Choose rock to toss.
  3. Toss rock, pick up either one or three rocks, catch rock tossed.
  4. Toss rock, pick up remaining rock(s), catch rock tossed.
Four’s
  1. Roll rocks onto the floor.
  2. Choose rock to toss.
  3. Toss rock, pick up all four rocks, catch rock tossed.
Five’s
  1. Hold all rocks in hand.
  2. Toss one rock, place other four rocks on floor, catch rock tossed.
  3. Toss rock again, pick up the other four rocks, catch rock tossed.
Bridge
  1. Place non-tossing hand on floor with each fingertip touching the floor so thumb and index finger form a ‘cave’ or ‘bridge’. Do not move this hand.
  2. Roll rocks in front of this hand.
  3. Have opponent choose one rock that will be last to go under the bridge.
  4. Choose rock to toss.
  5. Toss rock, push one rock toward or under bridge, catch rock tossed. (Allow three tosses to place rock under bridge. Rock is considered under bridge if it can’t be seen when arch of bridge is brought to floor.)
  6. Repeat fifth step for two of the remaining rocks.
  7. Repeat fifth step for last rock, but allow only one toss to place rock under bridge.
  8. Toss rock, pick up all four rocks, catch rock tossed.
1 – 2 – 1

Place four rocks on floor as shown to the right    ⁛

  1. Toss remaining rock, pick up two outside rocks, catch rock tossed.
  2. Toss rock, pick up remaining two rocks, catch rock tossed.
Billiards
  1. Roll rocks onto the floor.
  2. Push or flick one rock into another.
  3. Remove one of these two rocks.
  4. Push or flick the other into a third rock.
  5. Repeat third and fourth steps until all rocks have been hit.
Feet
  1. Sit with legs in butterfly position.
  2. Place one rock on the arch of each foot, one rock on the balls of both feet, and one rock on the heels of both feet.
  3. Toss fifth rock, push one rock into hole formed by the arches of your feet, catch rock tossed.
  4. Repeat third step for remaining rocks.
  5. Remove feet from playing area.
  6. Toss rock, pick up all four rocks, catch rock tossed.
Right Hand
  1. Cup hands and place five rocks in hands.
  2. Toss all five rocks, flip right hand, catch majority of five rocks on right hand.
  3. Toss all five rocks again, flip right hand back, catch the five rocks.
  4. Repeat second and third steps nine times.
Left Hand
  1. Same as ‘Right Hand’, but flipping left hand.
Both Hands
  1. Same as ‘Right Hand’ and ‘Left Hand’, but flipping both hands.

Scoring

  1. Cup one hand and place five rocks in hand.
  2. Toss all five rocks, flip hand, catch as many as you can on back of hand.
  3. Toss those caught on back of hand and catch all of them in one of three ways:
  • Flip hand, palm facing up, catch rocks. (Score 10 points per rock.)
  • Catch rocks, palm facing down. (Score 20 points per rock.)
  • Use one hand to form cup with thumb and index finger as rim.Catch rocks in cup. (Score 30 points per rock.)