Instructions / Assembly

HORSESHOE STUDY GUIDE

NATURE AND PURPOSE

Horseshoe pitching has been popular for a long time both as a recreational and competitive sport.

The formation of the NATIONAL HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION in 1921 has given

rise to chapters in nearly every state as well as Canada. The N H PA sanctions local and regional meets

for men, women, boys, and girls. A world tournament is held each year for Men and Women while a

Junior Boys and Junior Girls World Champion is also decided.

The game is played by pitching horseshoes toward a metal stake some 40 feet for Men's

competition and 30 feet for Women and Juniors. Points are scored for shoes landing closest to the

stake, providing the shoe is not farther than 6 inches from the stake. A ringer (shoe which encircles

stake) counts 3 points. The winner is the player who first scores 21 points (informal play) or 25 innings

(official tournament competition.) Players shall alternate the first pitch, with the player having first pitch

in the even innings, and the other in the odd number innings. In singles play the players move from

stake to stake after each throw, but in doubles one partner is stationed at each stake and makes all throws

from there.

PLAYING AREA AND EQUIPMENT

THE COURT: The official horseshoe court (see figure) is 50 x10 feet with one-inch metal

stakes placed 40 feet apart or 30 feet apart. The stakes are centered in a 6 x 6 foot pitchers box.

HORSESHOES: An official shoe should not exceed 7 1/4 inches in width and 7 5/8 inches in

length, and should weight no more than 2 pounds 10 ounces. The opening can be no more than 3 1/2

inches from point to point.

SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES

Players must stand behind the foul line on the pitching platform when pitching. Most players assume a

starting stance with the pitching arm closes to the stake and in a position which permits a forward step in

the act of delivery of the shoe. The number of turns which the shoe takes in flight usually determines the

style of grip to be used. Regardless of the grip used, there are several factors common to all pitches:

1. The shoe should be held parallel to the ground with calks down;

2. The rotation of the shoe should be clockwise;

3. The open end of the shoe should face the stake when landing;

4. Weight evenly distributed on both feet in the beginning stance, step off on opposite foot, knees

bent, eyes on target, shoulders square to target.

The one and one-quarter turn delivery.

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HORSESHOE STUDY GUIDE NATURE AND PURPOSE Horseshoe pitching has been popular for a long time both as a recreational and competitive sport. The formation of the NATIONAL HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION in 1921 has given rise to chapters in nearly every state as well as Canada. The N H PA sanctions local and regional meets for men, women, boys, and girls. A world tournament is held each year for Men and Women while a Junior Boys and Junior Girls World Champion is also decided.
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BASIC RULES The National Horseshoe Pitchers Association establishes the official rules of horseshoe pitching. 1. A game is divided into innings, and each contestant pitches two shoes in each inning. A game consists of 25 innings (50 shoes pitched by each person.) 2. The choice of the first pitch to start the game is decided by the toss of a shoe or coin. 3. A shoe that has left the pitchers hand is ruled a pitched shoe. 4.