Part 2 - Canadian Kubb game:

The decision was made to use the Kubb rules that make the game easier for teens. The first was the use of a shortened field. The second, once a Kubb has been knocked over twice, it is removed from the field of play (which shortens the game.)

Christopher set the 4 corner markers to outline a reduced size playing pitch for an easier game. Then we carefully spaced our 5 Base Kubbs along the baseline. The King was positioned closer to the teen's line. TJ and Christopher had the 6 Throwing Sticks and were itching to throw them.

To determine which side would start first, each player threw one at the King without trying to hit him. Whoever came the closest to the King would be the first to start. Christopher let one fly and it landed almost at the Base Line. TJ took careful aim and came within 2 ft of the King. Maggie's baton landed about 3 ½ ft to the side of the King so TJ was declared the winner and the first to start the game. Some rules say that only 4 batons are to be used on the first turn only, but we decided to use all 6.

To make it easier, we will call the teen's team, Team A, and Maggie, Team B.

Team A: TJ starts by standing behind his base line ready to throw one of his sticks. Maggie reminds him to hold it at one end, not in the middle, and throw it underarm. Good throw, but it missed. Christopher was next. His throw landed far short of the base line. They continued one after the other. TJ took careful aim and came very close to knocking over a Base Kubb. Christopher tried to be more careful on his second shot but it also went wide. TJ scored on his next throw. Christopher tossed another miss.

Team B: Maggie, picks up the fallen Baseline Kubb and tosses it into Team A's playing area and it landed just a foot past the King. TJ raced out to set the Kubb upright. It is now called a Field Kubb. The first stick Team A tosses at the Field Kubb misses.

It has to come down before there can be a try for Team A's Baseline Kubbs. Another is let fly-- and missed. The boys are cheering for more misses. But the third one connects, so now a try for the Baseline Kubbs. 2 of them topple before running out of sticks.

Team A throws the 2 fallen Baseline Kubbs into Team B's area. (The Field Kubb knocked over the second time is taken out of the game.) Team B swiftly sets them upright where they landed and Team A tries for the Field Kubbs. TJ gets one down, Christopher misses. TJ scores again. They can now throw at the Baseline Kubbs. TJ gets one, Christopher gets another. The game is getting exciting.

Team B quickly tries to throw the fallen Base Kubbs into Team A's area but one landed outside of the Corner Marker. The second chance to throw it got it in. The boys raced out to set them upright. The Field Kubbs that had fallen twice were removed. Team B has 2 Field Kubbs to hit before trying for a Baseline Kubb. All of the sticks were used but just 1 falls leaving 1 Field Kubb still standing.

Now Team A has no fallen Base Line Kubbs to throw back but they remove the twice-fallen Field Kubb. They can now use the still standing Field Kubb as their new baseline for throwing the sticks.

From their new baseline Team A has the advantage of a shorter throwing length and with no Field Kubbs to hit first, they go after Team B's Base Line Kubbs but topple only one.

Team B now throws the fallen Kubb back into A territory. It must be toppled along with the other standing Field Kubb first before going for the 3 remaining Baseline Kubbs on A team's side. The Field Kubbs and one of the Base Line Kubbs are hit.

Team A tosses the fallen Base Lines Kubb back to Team B and removes the Field Kubbs that were hit twice. They must go back to their Base Line again as there are no Field Kubbs left standing on their side to use as a new Base Line. They hit the Field Kubb but did not score on Team B's single remaining Base Line Kubb.

Team B removes the twice-fallen Field Kubbs and prepares to take careful aim from the Base Line at the 2 remaining Base Line Kubbs on Team A. One down.

Team A throws it into Team B's area. It is set upright by Team B. Team A aims-- it topples. They then knock over the remaining Base Line Kubb on Team B's Base Line. Since they knocked over all of Team B's Kubbs, Team A can now try for the King. They must stand behind their Base Line and get only one shot. Missed. Sorry-

The game continues. Team B takes careful aim at the one remaining Base Line Kubb on Team A's side. Can you believe it? Six throws and none find their mark.

Team A can try for the King again. This time, Christopher gets it. He is jubilant. Hero of the day. Game over. "Two-four-six-eight-Who do we appreciate? Team A, Team A. Hip, Hip, Hooray, Team A."

So we had a fun game even though it was Canadian Kubb-two against one. And, no, Maggie did not deliberately lose. She always plays to win. Better luck next time, old girl!