Danny in a Newfangled World

Can’t Teach a New Kid an Old Classic

// August 2nd, 2010 // Books

My boys had an hour of time to themselves this holiday Monday afternoon.  I’d already taken them swimming and let them play video games.  It was time to let them “entertain themselves.”  Not exactly an easy task for the modern kid.  After catching my eldest son sneaking some  more time on his Nintendo DS, I decided to take matters into my own hands. 

I found that pack of Jacks that my boys had begged me to buy for them only two weeks ago and reminded them how to play (they’d lost the instructions.)  I used to spend hours over my summers playing jacks, often using stones I’d find lying outside the house that I’d scoop up speedily until my knuckles bled.  Needless to say, my boys’ enthusiasm waned after about seven minutes.

Next, I introduced them to an old favourite,  7-Up.  When I was between 8 and 11 years old, I’d spend hours playing this simple ball game on any wall I could find.  Typically, I’d end up in the garage where the wall and floor were clear of dents and carpets.  I know, I know… today’s average kid is probably thinking how could any kid spend hours throwing a stinkin’ ball against a wall.  And, it’s hard to describe that this game was, in fact, truly entertaining to kids who were kicked out their houses so Mom could get some peace, or who would try in vain to find just one crummy cartoon on TV in the middle of the day.  And, just forget about video games!  If you were lucky to afford Atari (which we weren’t) , the game selection was pretty dismal (sorry, Pacman.) 

Here are the rules of the 7-Up game as I recalled them (with a little help from Google.)  My rules differ from the official rules, as determined by some Google findings, but they worked great for me:

Say “Seven-Up”: Throw the ball against the wall and catch it before it bounces on the ground.

Say “Six-Up”: Throw the ball against the ball, let it bounce on ground once, then catch it.

Say “Five-Up”: Bounce the ball on the ground before it hits the wall, then catch it before it hits the ground on the way back.

Say “Four-Up”: Throw the ball against the wall and when it comes back, hit it with the palm of your hand toward the ground and bounce it twice, then smack it with the palm ofo your hand to hit wall, then catch it. 

Say “Three-Up”: Bounce the ball on the ground once then smack it with the palm of your hand against the wall and when it bounces back catch it.

Say “Two-Up”: Throw the ball under one leg against the wall and when it bounces back, catch it.

Say “One-Up”: Throw the ball against the wall, then spin around fast and catch it without letting it hit the ground.

The verdict with my boys?  They were amused for about ten minutes then headed back into the air conditioned house.  I gave up after that.  I guess I’d need to force my kids out of doors for hours at a time, with nothing to do, to make them truly appreciate this game.  It’s a tempting thought.