Alak Dolak: how to play the Iranian stick game
Also known as: الکدولک, Gilli-danda
Alak dolak is a classic Iranian outdoor game played with a long stick and a short one. Learn the basic rules, scoring and safety tips for playing today.
- Type
- Outdoor game
- Players
- 2
- Age
- Ages 8+
- Play time
- 15–45 min
- Origin
- Iran; related stick games exist across South and Central Asia
Alak dolak is a traditional outdoor game from Iran, played with two pieces of wood: a short stick, the alak, and a longer stick, the dolak, used like a bat. The player flicks the short stick into the air and strikes it as far as possible, while the opposing side tries to catch it or return it. Before football fields were common in towns and villages, alak dolak was one of the most popular games among Iranian boys and girls, played in alleys and open land. Related games exist across a wide area, such as gilli-danda in India and Pakistan. Rules change from region to region, but the joy of a well-hit stick flying across a field is the same everywhere.
Our verdict
Alak dolak builds hand-eye coordination, timing and throwing skills, all with two simple pieces of wood. It is played outdoors, so children run, laugh and move. Its scoring by stick lengths also practises counting and estimating distance. For families who grew up with it, teaching alak dolak to children is a way to share stories of their own childhood. Today, many people play it with a lighter short stick and wide open space to keep everyone safe.
What works
- Needs only two sticks
- Builds coordination and timing
- Keeps a regional tradition alive
What does not
- A flying stick can hurt if players stand too close
- Many regional rule versions can cause arguments
How to play Alak Dolak
You need a short stick about the length of a hand and a longer stick roughly the length of an arm. A small groove is dug in the ground, or two stones are placed close together. The batting player lays the short stick across the groove and uses the long stick to flip it forward. Opponents stand in the field and try to catch the short stick in the air; a catch usually puts the batter out. If it is not caught, a fielder throws it back towards the groove, and the batter may try to hit it away while it comes in. The batter then taps one end of the short stick so it jumps up and hits it in mid-air as far as possible. The distance from the groove to where it lands is measured in lengths of the long stick, and these lengths become points. Local rules decide how many strikes each turn allows and how a player is put out.
Tips for new players
- Use smooth, rounded sticks without splinters, and keep the short stick light.
- Play in a wide, open area, and keep fielders at a safe distance from the batter.
- Practise the small tap that lifts the short stick before trying long hits.
- Agree on local rules for scoring and outs before the first turn.
Good for
Alak Dolak: common questions
What do alak and dolak mean in the game?
The alak is the short stick that flies, and the dolak is the longer stick used to strike it.
Is alak dolak safe for children?
It can be, with supervision, light rounded sticks, a large open space and fielders standing well away from the batter.
Is alak dolak similar to cricket?
Both use a striking stick and fielders who try to catch, but alak dolak is simpler and is scored by measuring distance in stick lengths.
Alak Dolak belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
