Lagori / Pittu / Satoliya Rules – Seven Stones Game of India

Outdoor team games · 14 min read · By Arvind

Few games make an Indian playground as loud as lagori. Seven flat stones are piled into a little tower, one team knocks it over with a ball, and then the real fun begins: that team must rebuild the tower while the other team tries to hit them with the ball. Someone is always shouting "Pittu!", "Lagori!" or "Satoliya!" at the moment the last stone goes back on the pile.

The beauty of this game is that the same rules travel across India under many names. In Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra it is Lagori (also spelt Lagoori), in Punjab and Delhi it is Pittu or Pithoo/Pittho, in Rajasthan and Gujarat it is Satoliya or Sitoliya (from "saat", seven), in Tamil Nadu it is Ezhu Kallu or Lagori, and in Andhra Pradesh it is Pittu or Dikori. This page covers all of them together. If you want a shorter, school-friendly explanation of the same idea, see our separate Seven Stones page, which focuses on the standardised version taught in PE classes.

Below you will find how to set up the stones and field, the step-by-step playground rules, tagging rules, scoring, fouls, a sample round, regional names, variations and safety advice.

History and cultural note — इतिहास और परंपरा

Stone-stacking games are among the simplest and oldest forms of play: they need only what lies on the ground. Lagori-type games are mentioned in folk memories across India, and older relatives in almost every state can describe some version. The game has been played in courtyards, temple grounds and village squares, usually with flat river stones or broken roof tiles. In cities, children switched to tiles, wooden blocks and even stacked slippers.

Lagori has seen a real revival in the last decade. The Karnataka film industry featured it in songs, schools began adding it to traditional games days, and several organisations have tried to standardise rules for tournaments. Even so, in most neighbourhoods the rules remain local, and that is perfectly fine for play. What follows are the most widely shared playground rules.

Players and age group — खिलाड़ी और उम्र

Two teams of three to nine players each. One team is the seekers (also called the hitting-down or attacking team) who knock down the pile and try to rebuild it. The other team is the defenders (also called the catchers or hitters) who try to stop the rebuilding by hitting seekers below the shoulder with the ball.

Children as young as six enjoy lagori because the rebuilding part is simple, but the tagging needs control, so younger children should use a very soft ball. Ages eight to fourteen enjoy it most. Mixed-age teams work well if older players are asked to throw underarm.

Equipment you need — सामान

• Seven flat stones or tiles of decreasing size (largest about the size of a palm). Wooden blocks, plastic coasters or stacking cups are safe alternatives.
• A soft ball: tennis ball, rubber ball or foam ball. For under-10s, use foam.
• Chalk or a rope to mark a circle around the pile and a throwing line.

Do not use a cricket ball or a hard leather ball; lagori involves throwing at people. For school sets, painted wooden discs (largest 15 cm, smallest 6 cm) last for years and are kinder to the hand than stones.

Ground and setup — मैदान की तैयारी

Place the stack in the middle of the playing area, inside a small circle of about 1 m diameter. The biggest stone goes at the bottom and the smallest at the top. Draw a throwing line 5–8 metres away (closer for younger players). Seekers line up behind the throwing line. Defenders spread out behind and around the stack, typically one player close behind the stack as a "keeper" and the others in a loose ring.

Agree on the boundary of the playing area; a seeker who runs outside it is out. Also agree on how many throws each seeker gets to break the stack (usually three per team turn, one per player in order).

Step-by-step rules — खेल के नियम

1. The seeker team takes turns throwing the ball from behind the line at the stack. Each player usually gets one throw; the team gets an agreed total (often three).

   

2. If no throw knocks down any stone, the teams swap roles.

   

3. If a defender catches the ball on the full after it hits the stack (or after it is thrown and misses but before it bounces, in some versions), the thrower is out.

   

4. Once at least one stone falls, the seekers scatter. Their goal is to come back and rebuild the entire stack in the correct order.

   

5. The defenders gather the ball and try to hit any seeker below the shoulders. A hit seeker is out and leaves the field.

   

6. Defenders may not run while holding the ball in many versions; they must pass it among themselves and throw from where they stand. This rule keeps the game fair and encourages passing.

   

7. Seekers may dodge, distract and run, and may knock the ball away with their hands only if your group allows it (many do not).

   

8. When the last stone is placed, a seeker shouts "Lagori!" or "Pittu!" The seekers win the round and earn a point.

   

9. If all seekers are hit out before the stack is complete, the defenders win the round.

   

10. Teams switch roles for the next round.

    

Scoring and winning — अंक और जीत

Each successful rebuild scores one point for the seeker team. In many neighbourhoods there is a bonus: if the stack is rebuilt without any seeker being hit, the team scores two points. Some groups also score one point to the defenders for each round they stop.

Play a set number of rounds (for example ten, five as each role) or first team to five points. In school matches, play two halves of eight minutes each and count points.

Fouls and common disputes — फ़ाउल और झगड़े

• Hitting a seeker on the head or face — the hit does not count and the thrower gets a warning.
• Defender running with the ball (if your rules ban it) — the hit is cancelled.
• Rebuilding the stack in the wrong order or with a stone balanced on its edge — the stack does not count until fixed.
• Seeker deliberately kicking the stones away — out.
• Defender standing inside the stack circle to guard it — not allowed; keep at least an arm's length outside.
• Throwing the ball hard at close range (under 2 m) — not allowed for under-12s.

A sample round, explained — एक उदाहरण

Team Neem (seekers) and Team Peepal (defenders) start. Meera from Neem throws first and misses. Raju throws second; his ball clips the top three stones, which tumble. Instantly, Neem players scatter. Peepal's keeper grabs the ball and passes to Ankit, who is near the circle. Ankit cannot run with the ball, so he looks for a seeker close to him.

Meanwhile Meera sneaks in from the other side and puts two stones back. Ankit throws at her but misses, and the ball rolls far. While Peepal chases it, Raju and Meera rebuild three more stones. With one stone to go, Peepal recovers the ball and hits Raju on the leg; he is out. Meera, however, slips the last small stone on top and shouts "Lagori!" Neem scores one point. Teams swap.

The lesson: seekers win by distracting and splitting the defenders' attention, while defenders win by passing fast instead of throwing from far away.

Regional names across India — अलग-अलग राज्यों में नाम

Variations to try — खेल के रूप

No-run defenders

Defenders can only pivot and pass, not run, with the ball. This is the most popular rule in schools because it balances fast seekers.

Ball-bounce rule

A hit counts only if the ball has not bounced. Bounce hits are "dead." This reduces arguments.

Pitthu Garam (Punjab style)

After the stack is knocked down, defenders try to hit seekers with the ball and the cry "Pitthu garam!" means a seeker has been hit. The rest is the same.

Two-stack lagori

Two stacks at opposite ends of the field; seekers must rebuild both. Great for large groups of 20+.

Indoor stacking cups

Seven plastic cups, a foam ball and a hall: rebuilding cups is faster, which makes it ideal for younger children.

How to run it in a school or housing society — स्कूल और सोसाइटी में कैसे खिलाएँ

For a class of 40, set up two fields side by side and play ten-a-side, or four fields with five-a-side, which gives more touches. Use painted wooden discs and foam balls. Assign one student per field as umpire and rotate this role every round. Explain three key rules before starting: hit below the shoulders, no running with the ball, and rebuild largest to smallest.

In societies, lagori is a perfect evening game for children's day or Republic Day celebrations. Mark the circle with rangoli powder, use stacking cups for the little ones and wooden discs for older kids, and have a parent at each field. A "parents vs kids" round is always a crowd-pleaser; ask adults to throw only underarm.

Teaching tips for coaches and parents — सिखाने के टिप्स

Begin with a stacking race: give each pair a set of discs and time how fast they can build the stack. This teaches the order and the need for steady hands under pressure. Next, teach passing among defenders with a simple "three passes then throw" drill. Finally, play full rounds.

Encourage seekers to talk: one should be the "builder" and the others the "decoys" who draw the defenders away. Encourage defenders to talk too: they should form a triangle around the stack so a pass is always available. Teams that communicate win more often, and children start to see the game as strategy, not just chaos.

A ready-made 45-minute session plan for Lagori / Pittu — 45 मिनट की योजना

Teachers, coaches and society volunteers often ask for a plan they can follow without preparation. Here is one built around Lagori / Pittu, suitable for 6–18 in two teams and a space of roughly ground about 20 × 15 m. Adjust the timings to your group, but try to keep the structure, because it moves children from understanding to playing without long lectures.

1. 0–5 minutes: gather and explain. Sit everyone in a circle. Show the diagram on this page (print it or hold up a phone). Explain only the three most important rules; the rest can be taught while playing.
2. 5–10 minutes: warm-up. Light jogging, arm circles, ankle rolls and a few stretches. For board or small-space games, use finger and wrist warm-ups and a quick memory game instead.
3. 10–18 minutes: skill drill. Practise the one key skill of the game in pairs or small groups (the teaching tips above suggest which). Short repetitions with lots of praise work better than one long attempt.
4. 18–38 minutes: play. Play the game in short rounds. After every round, pause for thirty seconds and ask one question: "What worked? What was unfair?" Let children suggest small rule tweaks and vote on them.
5. 38–45 minutes: cool down and reflect. Slow walking or breathing, water, and a quick round where each child says one thing they learned or one person who played fairly.

A session like this fits neatly into a school games period, a summer-camp slot or a Sunday morning in the society garden. Repeat it across a few weeks and you will see children start organising Lagori / Pittu on their own, which is the real goal.

Making Lagori / Pittu inclusive — सबको शामिल करें

Traditional games were always played by mixed groups: older and younger siblings, cousins visiting for the holidays, neighbours of every background. Keep that spirit alive. Give younger or less confident children a "helper" role first (scorer, umpire, equipment-in-charge) and then a playing role once they have watched a round. Pair a strong player with a beginner rather than letting captains pick teams in front of everyone, which can hurt feelings. For a child who uses a wheelchair or has limited mobility, shorten distances, allow seated or standing play where possible, and give them roles that matter to the result, such as caller, measurer or final judge. For children who find noise overwhelming, a quieter corner version or a smaller group helps. Small changes like these rarely spoil the game, and they teach every child that play belongs to everyone.

A note for parents: bringing Lagori / Pittu home — माता-पिता के लिए

Many parents tell us the same story: their child spends hours on a phone game, but the moment a cousin or neighbour suggests Lagori / Pittu, the phone is forgotten. Traditional games work because they are social, physical and a little unpredictable, and because they belong to the child's own world rather than to a screen. You do not need to be an expert to bring this game home. Start by playing once yourself, even badly; children love seeing a parent learn. Tell them how you or their grandparents played it, and what it was called in your town. Then step back and let them run it.

Keep the equipment in a visible place, such as a basket near the door, so that it is easy to grab. Invite one or two neighbourhood children for a regular weekly slot, perhaps a Saturday evening, and the habit will grow on its own. When disagreements happen, ask questions instead of giving verdicts: "What rule did you agree? Is that fair for the smaller kids?" Over a few weeks you will notice the children negotiating, adapting and including others, which are exactly the skills a good school tries to teach. Finally, take a photo or a short video of them playing and share it with the grandparents. Few things make an Indian dadi or nana happier than seeing a grandchild play the game they once played in the same way.

Safety tips — सुरक्षा

• Soft balls only. Foam for under-10s.
• Hits below the shoulder only; a head hit means the thrower sits out a round.
• Keep the stones flat and smooth; replace cracked tiles.
• Agree on a boundary away from roads, drains and stairs.
• Remind seekers not to dive onto the stack; elbows and stones do not mix.
• Have water and a short break every 15 minutes in Indian summer heat.

Skills and benefits for children — बच्चों को फ़ायदे

Lagori builds aim, quick decisions, teamwork and fine motor control (stacking under pressure is harder than it sounds). Because both teams have very different roles, children also learn to switch between attack and defence thinking. It is a great equaliser: a small child who is a quick stacker can be the hero of the round.

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