Lagori
Lagori is a traditional South Asian team sport where attackers knock down a stack of stones with a ball and try to rebuild it. Defenders score points by tagging attackers with the ball before the stack is restored.
AT A GLANCE
- ERA
- Traditional
- ORIGIN
- India
- PLAYERS
- 12 on court · 6/side
- EQUIPMENT
- 7 stones, rubber ball
- PLAYING AREA
- 20 × 10 m
- DURATION
- 2 × 15 min
- GOVERNING BODY
- ILF
- OLYMPIC
- No
Roles and objectives
| Role | Objective | Key Constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Seekers (Attackers) | Knock down stack & rebuild it | Must throw from behind crease |
| Hitters (Defenders) | Tag seekers with the ball | Cannot run while holding ball |
| Lagori Call | Rebuild stack & shout 'Lagori!' | Must complete stack without getting tagged |
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Target Stack | 7 flat stones or synthetic blocks of decreasing size |
| Ball | Soft rubber or tennis ball |
| Court Size | 20 m length × 10 m width (standard federation) |
| Match Duration | 2 halves of 15 minutes each |
How a game works
An attacking player throws a ball to knock down a central stack of seven flat stones. Once disrupted, attackers attempt to rebuild the pile while defending players retrieve the ball and pass it to hit attackers below the shoulders. If attackers rebuild the stack and yell 'Lagori', they score points; if an attacker is hit, the turn ends.
Scoring in one line
Attackers score points by successfully rebuilding the seven-stone stack, while defenders score by tagging attacking players out with the ball.
Where it came from
Lagori originated as an informal street game across ancient India. Classical Indian literary sources, including the Bhagavata Purana, describe games involving thrown balls and stacked targets played in rural communities thousands of years ago.
Lagori today
The game has transitioned from a popular neighborhood pastime into an organized sport. Formally managed by the International Lagori Federation, contemporary matches use standardized courts, soft rubber balls, and uniform composite blocks for regional competitions.
Run a Lagori tournament
Brackets, fixtures and standings in your browser — 2 × 15 min.
FAQ
What are the alternate names for Lagori?
Lagori is widely known as Pitthu, Seven Stones, Satoliya, Dikori, Lingorce, and Ezhu Kallu across different states in India and South Asia.
Is Lagori an Olympic sport?
No, Lagori is not an Olympic sport, though it is governed internationally by the International Lagori Federation and played in regional sports festivals.
How many stones are used in a Lagori game?
Standard games use exactly seven flat stones or blocks stacked vertically in decreasing order of size.