KOKAN
Kokan is a traditional aboriginal sport similar to the game of hockey. The game originates from the area around the Torres Strait. A strait is a narrow passage of water that connects two larger areas of water. This strait connects the Coral Sea with the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria. This strait also separates two countries. On the south side is Australia. To the north is Papua New Guinea. Kokan is extremely popular on both sides of the strait in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The game was originally played along a stretch of beach with sticks made of bamboo.
• There should be two teams of four or ve players.
• The field should be an open space about the size of a tennis court.
• A tennis court would work.
• Every player needs a hockey stick.
• The Kokan is a ball.
• A softball-sized perforated ball is perfect; it should be the size of a tennis ball (or larger) and lightweight.
• There should be a goal on either side of the field, and no player is allowed inside the goal area.
• The game starts in the center of the eld.
• Players must use the sticks to hit the Kokan into the goal areas.
• Players are only allowed to touch the ball twice.
• Players must have two hands on the stick at all times.
• Players are not allowed to touch the ball or other players with their bodies.
• The ball shouldn’t go above knee height.
• Players can have a extra touch to shoot a goal if they are over halfway to the goal.
• Each goal is one point.
• The game is over after a set period of time, like 30 minutes.
There are some variations to how the game is played. All of the
players should agree on the rules before the game starts, but here are some other options. The Keep-away variation gets rid of the goals. Instead, points are scored when a team passes a set number of passes, like 10, between players of the same team without the ball being touched by the other team. Other versions allow for a goalkeeper to enter the goal area and attempt to keep the ball out. Another option is to restrict where players can move. Some players may be con ned to the rst or second half of the court.
For more information, visit the following sites: Australian Sports | Kokan
