How to play patintero in Philippines: history and rules

Patintero is a traditional Filipino street game played by runners and guards, with the guards defending chalk-drawn lines while runners try to cross them without being tagged. Traditional Filipino games continue to capture interest, especially those that encourage movement, teamwork, and strategy. Discover how to play patintero in the Philippines to better understand this popular street game enjoyed by children nationwide.

Key takeaways

• The game uses simple materials and clear rules, making it easy to learn and accessible to all ages.
• Players are divided into two teams: runners aim to cross all lines, while guards block and tag them.
• The game is played on a grid drawn on the ground, and guards must keep their feet on the lines while defending.
• Runners score by successfully crossing the grid and returning without being tagged.

How to play patintero in Philippines

Read also

Aso patay matapos paulit-ulit na hatawin ng senior citizen sa Cainta

Patintero remains one of the most enjoyed traditional street games in the country, especially for its simplicity and excitement. For those interested in learning how to play patintero in the Philippines, understanding the process step by step makes the game easier and more enjoyable for beginners.

Clear instructions also help ensure fair play and teamwork among players. Many learners even look for a pdf guide to follow the rules and set up more conveniently during practice or school activities.

• Draw a massive rectangle on the ground using chalk for clarity and divide it into smaller rectangles depending on the number of players. The Patintero drawing involves 6-8 smaller rectangles.
• The players should form two teams with an equal number of players, where one team plays defensively and guards the other team against passing the lines. The two teams make up the guards and the runners (passers).
• The guards assign a player to the lateral line in the middle of the rectangle, and the other players to each horizontal line.
• The objective of the runners is to get across to one end of the big rectangle and back without being touched or tagged by a guard.
• During the game, the guards should ensure they have both feet on the ground before tagging their opponent; otherwise, it will not count.
• Once a runner is tagged, he or she gets out of the game. If a runner makes it across the big rectangle and back without being touched with the butterfly fingers, they earn a point.
• Once all the runners of a team have been tagged, it’s game over.
• The teams then switch sides, and the runners become the guards and vice versa.

Read also

Lalaki, patay matapos makuryente habang nanunungkit ng mangga sa Ilocos Sur

How many rectangles are typically drawn on the ground for Patintero?

In a standard game of Patintero, six rectangles are typically drawn on the ground, arranged in two columns and three rows. This layout is the most common Patintero measurement, allowing enough space for movement, blocking, and strategy.

While exact sizes can vary depending on available space, each rectangle is usually drawn evenly to keep the game fair. Variations may exist, but the 6-rectangle grid remains the traditional and widely used setup.

Rules of the game

Patintero rules apply across the board to all players. The equipment required for the game includes chalk or paint, a score sheet, a whistle, and a stopwatch. The playing court should be a rectangle of about 7.5m long and 5m wide, divided into six equal rectangles. The rules of Patintero Philippines are as follows:

1. The game starts with a toss of a coin toss to decide which team becomes the passer or runner.
2. There is a time limit of two minutes for each team to score.
3. Once the two minutes elapse, the two teams change sides, and the guards become the passers and vice versa.
4. The passers or runners are supposed to cross the lines from the starting point and back to earn a point.
5. The line guards are positioned on the vertical lines with one on the horizontal line of the grid, making sure that their feet are always on the line.
6. The primary objectives of the line guards include tagging the passers or runners with their powered or butterfly hands and blocking them from passing the lines.
7. Once a guard tags any of the passers, the line guards assume the position of the passers.

Read also

Van sumalpok sa nakaparadang 10-wheeler; 4 patay, 6 sugatan

System of scoring from the starting point

From the entry point

• First-line – 1 pt
• Second-line – 2 pts
• Third-line – 2 pts
• Fourth-line – 2 pts

From the exit point

• Fourth-line – 2 pts
• Third-line – 3 pts
• Second-line – 3pts
• First-line – 5pts (Home)

The duration of the game is three innings, and each inning is divided into halves. The above Patintero mechanics may slightly differ from one community to another, but the nature and style of the game are usually standard.

Rosversary patintero

The patintero Filipino game gained traction via the internet with online challenges that attract individuals of different nationalities and ages in a rules-of-survival format. Enjoy the latest rosversary patintero in the newest season of rules of survival and win luck chips and bonuses. You can also win diamonds by becoming a fashion master. All you need to do is:

1. Dress your ROS (rules of survival) in clothes that reflect your character in the game.
2. Take a screenshot of your work.
3. Using your ID and server, share your screenshot in the comment section and call on your friends to like your work.
4. Make sure that your ID and Server info can be seen in the photo.
5. The more likes you get, the higher you increase your chances of getting awards.

Read also

Kylie Padilla, may reflection sa mental health: “Don’t dismiss your sadness”

What is the main goal of patintero?

The main goal of patintero is for one team to cross over to the other team's territory and back again without being tagged by the opposing team. It is a game that requires agility, speed, and strategic thinking as players try to avoid being tagged by the other team.

What is the background of patintero game?

Patintero is a traditional Filipino game that dates back to the Spanish colonial period. It was originally played by children on the streets and is now considered a cultural heritage game in the Philippines. The game is believed to have originated from the Spanish word "patear", which means "to kick," and the Tagalog word "tero", which means "guard."

What are the materials used for patintero?

The materials for patintero are simple and can be easily found. All you need is a rectangular playing area, which can be drawn on the ground using chalk or any other material that can mark the surface.

Read also

Kindergarten pupil killed by stray bullet inside classroom in Maguindanao del Sur

The playing area is divided into seven parallel lines, and each team has four to six players. The players can use markers such as rubber shoes or other objects to mark their territory and to indicate their position during the game.

How do the line guards position themselves in patintero?

In patintero, line guards position themselves directly on the designated horizontal and vertical chalk lines, with their feet restricted to these lines at all times. Typically, one or two guards are assigned to each crosswise line, while one guard covers the central vertical line. They must not step inside the squares.

What happens once the time limit elapses in patintero?

Once the two-minute time limit elapses in patintero, the teams immediately switch roles: the line guards become the passers (runners), and the previous passers become the guards. This ensures both teams get equal opportunities to score points by crossing the grid lines within the allotted time.

What is the rule for a guard's feet in patintero?

Four line guards are positioned on the vertical line and one on the horizontal line of the court. Their feet should always be on the line.

Read also

Camille Prats shares mission to help restore marriages after leading another faith-based retreat

How many innings does a game of patintero have?

Second line - 3 pts. Fourth line - 2 pts. First line - 5 pts. The duration of the game is three innings, and each inning is divided into halves.

Is the Patintero song related to the Philippines game?

Yes, the song "Patintero" by P-Pop group BGYO is directly inspired by the traditional Filipino street game of the same name. It is a Tagalog-language song with some English phrases mixed in (Taglish)

The song's lyrics and themes, written by FlipMusic, evoke memories of childhood, strategy, and camaraderie, using the game's mechanics as a metaphor for navigating life's obstacles.

Exploring the rules and background of patintero highlights why it has remained popular for generations. Learning how to play patintero in Philippines also helps preserve an important part of Filipino heritage. By sharing and playing the game today, communities keep this tradition alive while promoting active and social play.

Read also

Tragedy strikes a home in Silay as young girl loses life in brutal attack

Kami.com.ph recently published an article about how to play Sungka step-by-step. Sungka is a turn-based game that relies on counting, strategy, and smooth movement of stones.

In Sungka, the winner is the player who collects the most shells in their head (ulo) once all small pits are empty. The game ends when no shells remain in the small holes. Click on the link above to learn more!

Source: KAMI.com.gh