Lawn Game RULES

Horseshoes Rules

Set fixed stakes, pitch complete innings and score the nearest live shoes under the chosen NHPA method.

Stake fronts
40 ft(12.19 m)
Players
Singles or doubles under NHPA rules
Scoring
Cancel ringers, then score the closest live shoe
Winning
Reach or pass the agreed point limit

Court and dimensions

Full distance, 40-ft stakes and 37-ft foul line

Horseshoes court: Full distance, 40-ft stakes and 37-ft foul lineTop-down diagram of a horseshoes court. Two stakes stand 40 ft · 12.19 m apart, each centred in a 6 ft · 1.83 m square pitcher's box around a pit 72 in · 182.9 cm by 36 in · 91.4 cm. Each stake is 15 in · 38.1 cm tall and leans 3 in · 7.6 cm toward the opposite stake, with the foul lines 37 ft · 11.28 m from the opposite stake. A ringer scores 3 and a shoe within 6 in · 15.2 cm of the stake scores 1.3131foul line40 ft12.19 m37 ft to the far stake11.28 m to the far stake6 ft1.83 mpit 72 in longpit 182.9 cm long36 in wide91.4 cm wide10 ft3.05 m31foul line40 ft12.19 m37 ft11.28 m6 ft1.83 mpit 72 in longpit 182.9 cm long36 in wide91.4 cm wide10 ft3.05 m
Showing: Full distance, 40-ft stakes and 37-ft foul line. Drawn to scale.

All measurements and other layouts
Full distance, 40-ft stakes and 37-ft foul line — all measurements
DimensionImperialMetric
Stake distance40 ft12.19 m
Pitching box6 ft1.83 m
Pit length72 in182.9 cm
Pit width36 in91.4 cm
Stake height15 in38.1 cm
Stake lean3 in7.6 cm
Foul line from stake37 ft11.28 m
Playing area length46 ft14.02 m
Playing area width6 ft1.83 m
Side buffer2 ft0.61 m
End buffer2 ft0.61 m

The pit may be 43–72 in long and 31–36 in wide; this drawing uses the legal maxima.

Short distance, 40-ft stakes and 27-ft foul line — all measurements
DimensionImperialMetric
Stake distance40 ft12.19 m
Pitching box6 ft1.83 m
Pit length72 in182.9 cm
Pit width36 in91.4 cm
Stake height15 in38.1 cm
Stake lean3 in7.6 cm
Foul line from stake27 ft8.23 m

The 27-ft foul line is measured from the opposite stake; the stakes stay 40 ft apart.

Junior Cadets, 40-ft stakes and 20-ft foul line — all measurements
DimensionImperialMetric
Stake distance40 ft12.19 m
Pitching box6 ft1.83 m
Pit length72 in182.9 cm
Pit width36 in91.4 cm
Stake height15 in38.1 cm
Stake lean3 in7.6 cm
Foul line from stake20 ft6.1 m

Marked at the exact midpoint between the stakes.

How to play

Equipment

  • Horseshoe (singles game)

    4 ×
    Size and equipment notes

    Key size 7.63 in

    Each contestant pitches two shoes.

    Maximum length is 7-5/8 in; maximum width is 7-1/4 in and maximum weight is 2 lb 10 oz.

  • Horseshoe (doubles game)

    8 ×
    Size and equipment notes

    Each of four contestants uses two shoes; partners stand at opposite ends.

  • Stake

    2 ×
    Size and equipment notes

    Key size 15 in

    Stake fronts are 40 ft apart at platform level.

    Stake tops stand 14–15 in above the platforms and lean 3 in toward each other.

  • Backboard

    2 ×
    Size and equipment notes

    Place one at least 3 ft behind each stake, at least 1 ft high and spanning the pit width.

Setup

  • Keep the stake fronts 40 ft (12.19 m) apart. Build a 6 ft (1.83 m) square pitcher’s box at each end. The drawing uses the maximum legal pit length of 72 in (182.9 cm) and width of 36 in (91.4 cm).
  • Everyone pitches from behind a foul line marked in front of the pitching platform. Which line a contestant uses depends on their NHPA division; the stakes themselves never move. Mark the foul line from the opposite stake's front; do not move stakes for a shorter line.
  • Open Men and Senior Men use the 37-ft line. Women, Junior Boys/Girls (18 and under), Elder Men (70+) and exempted men under 70 use the 27-ft line.
  • Junior Cadets (12 and under) use the 20-ft line, marked at the stakes' exact midpoint.
  • A singles game uses 4 shoes. Doubles uses 8, with partners at opposite ends.

Pitch the shoes, then change ends

An inning has four shoes. The first contestant delivers both shoes underhand from one platform within 30 seconds; the opponent then does the same. The prior scorer pitches first next; after a blank inning, the last pitcher starts next. Walk to the far pit after the inning, agree the score and pitch back.

Measure before collecting

Wait until the inning is complete before walking to the scoring pit, except to remove a foul shoe. Agree each shoe’s value before lifting it. If you cannot resolve a close call, ask the judge to measure it; players may carry measuring tools and settle clear calls themselves.

Leave shoes in place until both players agree the inning score.

Ringers, close shoes and cancellation

A ringer is a live shoe that lands around the stake so that a straightedge laid across its open ends clears the stake. Any other live shoe near the stake is scored by its distance from the stake. A game is a run of innings that continues until a contestant reaches the agreed point total or the agreed number of shoes. (NHPA judging page, Judging Ringers & Close Shoes)

Under NHPA cancellation, score each inning in two passes. First, opposing ringers cancel each other. Then compare what is left: only the closest live shoe to the stake scores, and only if it lies within the scoring distance in the table; a second shoe from the same contestant scores as well if it is the next closest.

NHPA cancellation, point limit

A ringer must clear the straightedge

A ringer must clear the straightedgeRest a straightedge against the shoe’s open points or heel calks. A live shoe encircling the stake is a ringer only when the straightedge clears the stake. If it touches the stake, evaluate the shoe by distance instead. Schematic; not to scale.Clears: ringerTouches: no ringerStraightedgeStake
Rest a straightedge against the shoe’s open points or heel calks. A live shoe encircling the stake is a ringer only when the straightedge clears the stake. If it touches the stake, evaluate the shoe by distance instead. Schematic; not to scale.
How points are scored
ActionPoints
Live ringerOpposing ringers cancel before other shoes are compared.3 points
Closest live shoe within six inchesThe same contestant can score a second close shoe if it is next closest; a leaner has no bonus.1 point

Cancel ringers, then score the closest live shoe.

How the game is won

  • 40 points or more

Tie: NHPA sets no win-by-two rule.

Variants and house rules

NHPA cancellation

After a blank inning, the prior last pitcher starts next.

NHPA count-all

Every live shoe keeps its value, so both contestants can score from the same inning.

NHPA shoe limit

A shoe-limit game ends after the agreed even count. NHPA also permits point and shoe limits together. Ties may stand or use the published tiebreaker.

Backyard adaptations

Drive two 36-in by 1-in iron rods at about 12 degrees, leaning toward each other, until 14 in shows above ground. (NHPA backyard page, Building your own Backyard Horseshoe Court)

NHPA's backyard page plays cancellation to 40 points and accepts any other total agreed before play.

With a third player, cancellation applies, except a ringerless contestant scores nothing that inning when the other two each ring. (NHPA backyard page, Three Handed Game)

NHPA count-all, point limitScoring & finish

NHPA count-all, point limit

How points are scored
ActionPoints
Live ringer3 points
Live shoe within six inchesA leaner counts as a close shoe, without a bonus.1 point

Each contestant keeps every live shoe value.

How the game is won

  • 40 points or more
NHPA cancellation, shoe limitScoring & finish

NHPA cancellation, shoe limit

Point values match NHPA cancellation, point limit.

Score cancellation through a fixed shoe count.

How the game is won

  • Highest points total after 40 shoes

Tie: A tie may stand, or players may use repeated two-inning tiebreakers; handicap ties must stand.

Common disputes

Is a shoe touching the stake a ringer?

It depends. Lay a straightedge across the shoe’s open points. If the straightedge clears the stake, the shoe is a ringer worth 3 points. If it touches the stake, score the shoe by distance. If a ringer call is too close to see, slip a dollar bill or thin shim between stake and straightedge; if it passes, the straightedge clears and the shoe is a ringer. A close shoe has any part of it within six inches of any part of the stake, as NHPA's judging page measures it; the rulebook gives only the six-inch figure.

Is a leaner worth extra?

No. A live leaner within the scoring radius has the same 1 point value as another close shoe, subject to proximity and cancellation.

Opposing shoes are equally close. Who scores?

Those shoes cancel. Compare the next closest live shoe within the scoring radius; it can still score for its contestant. A shoe touching the stake without ringing it cancels an opposing shoe also touching it, like two shoes an equal distance from the stake.

Does a shoe outside the pit count?

No. A shoe that touches the backboard, platform, court frame or ground outside the pit before resting is a foul, scores zero and is removed if it lies in the scoring area. (NHPA playing rules, Rule 3.B.1 and Rule 5.A–B.2(c))

Someone lifted a shoe before we agreed the score. What happens?

If a contestant removes a shoe before its value is agreed, that contestant's shoe or shoes become foul and out of count; a judge may decide the value or order the inning re-pitched. (NHPA playing rules, Rule 4.A.1 and Rule 5.B.2(f)) Do not try to replace it from memory.

My shoe broke. Do I throw again?

A shoe breaking on the stake, another shoe or the pit is replaced and re-pitched; one breaking on the backboard is a foul shoe, not re-pitched.

  • Cornhole Rules

    Measure between the board fronts, alternate bags and count the difference at the end of the inning.

  • Washer Toss Rules

    Match the rules to your targets, then count cup and box washers or the holes on a board.

  • Kubb Rules

    Mark the pitch, return your fallen kubbs, clear them in order and topple the king last.

Sources

Rules used: NHPA cancellation, point limit. Reviewed . How we check the rules.

  1. NHPA playing rules
  2. NHPA backyard page
  3. NHPA judging page
  4. NHPA court specs
Publication details and rule references
The Official NHPA Playing Rules
PDF revised 2013; official RGS wrapper labels January 2016. Retrieved .
Guideline I, Doubles Play; Rule 1.A.1, p. 1, Junior Cadets; Rule 1.A.2–3, C, D.2 and E, pp. 1–2, 27-ft divisions; Rule 1.B and D.1, pp. 1–2, Open Men and Senior Men; Rule 3.A and C, pp. 3–4, same platform and 30-second limit; Rule 3.A and Guideline I; Rule 3.A and Guideline I, pp. 3–4; Rule 3.A, p. 3; Rule 3.B.1 and Rule 5.A–B.2(c), pp. 4, 6–7; Rule 3.B.2(a), p. 4; Rule 3.B.2(a), p. 4: straightedge test for a live ringer; Rule 3.B.2(b), p. 4; Rule 4, Section A.1–2, p. 5; Rule 4.A.1 and Rule 5.B.2(f), pp. 5, 7; Rule 6.A.1 and Rule 8.A.2, pp. 7–10; Rule 6.A.1, pp. 7–8; Rule 6.A.1(a), p. 8; Rule 6.A.1(b)–(c), p. 8; Rule 6.A.1(b), p. 8; Rule 6.A.1(b)(4), p. 8; Rule 6.A.2, p. 8; Rule 7.A, pp. 9–10, pitching rotation; Rule 8.A.1, p. 10; Rule 8.A.2, p. 10; Rule 8.B, pp. 10–11; Rule 9.A.1, p. 11
Building your own Backyard Horseshoe Court
Undated live page. Retrieved .
BASIC "Backyard" RULES, Scoring Rules; Building your own Backyard Horseshoe Court, opening paragraph; Three Handed Game
Judging Ringers & Close Shoes
Undated live page. Retrieved .
Judging Ringers & Close Shoes, close-shoe definition; Judging Ringers & Close Shoes, dollar-bill or shim test
Official Playing Rules, Requirements, Guidelines and Standards: Specifications section
January 2016 RGS specifications PDF. Retrieved .
I.A, Sanctioned Horseshoes, p. 1; II.B.1, p. 2; II.B.4, Pitcher's Box, p. 3; II.B.1, Playing Area, p. 2; II.B.4(a), The Pit, p. 3; II.B.6, Stakes, p. 3; II.B.7, Foul Lines, p. 3; II.B.7, Foul Lines, p. 3, twenty-foot line at the exact mid-point; II.B.8(a), Backboards, p. 4; II.B.9, Pit, p. 4; II.D, Covered and Indoor Courts, p. 4