JOYRiders PLAY

BALANCE × RING

Circle Sumo

Use pressure, position, and balance to move an opponent out of a tiny ring.Classics & remixes · JoyRiders rules edition
classic gamegrapplingbalanceduel
PLAYERStwo people / group
TIME3–18 min
ENERGYmedium / high
PLACEoutdoors
SETUP1 min
COMMUNITYNot yet rated

HOW TO PLAY

Start here.

YOU’LL NEEDGrass, a mat, or another surface with a marked circle
  1. 1Mark a wide circle and choose the first two players. Both begin near the center with palms touching and feet inside the ring.
  2. 2On ‘go,’ each player uses steady palm or shoulder pressure to make the opponent step outside the circle. Grabbing, charging, tripping, or striking does not count as legal play.
  3. 3The round ends as soon as any part of one player’s foot touches outside the circle; the opponent scores one point. If both step out together, replay the round with no point.
  4. 4Reset at the center after every point. The first player to two points wins the match; with a group, the winner stays for one new challenger and then rotates out.

REMIX THE RULES

Complete twists.

Closing ringIf neither player steps out within thirty seconds, pause and shrink the marked ring by one footstep all around. Resume from palms touching in the new ring; repeat once if needed. A foot outside gives the opponent one point, and the first player to two points wins.
Played it? Add it to your play history +

Did this feel like play?

KEEP PLAYING

More games like this

Sock WrestlingA ground game with one gloriously simple goal: steal the sock.Open game guide →Palm PushFeet stay planted while tiny pushes, fakes, and retreats decide the duel.Open game guide →Thumb WrestlingThe smallest possible wrestling ring still has escapes, pins, and comebacks.Open game guide →Rock Paper ScissorsThree hand signs, one instant winner, and a rematch that starts before either of you can overthink it.Open game guide →Finger JoustA handshake becomes a tiny fencing match of feints and fingertip attacks.Open game guide →Hand-Slap FeintOne player attacks, one escapes, and the smallest fake becomes hilarious.Open game guide →