Haft Sang: the Iranian seven stones game explained
Also known as: هفتسنگ, Seven Stones, Lagori
Haft sang is a traditional Iranian street game: knock down a tower of seven flat stones with a ball, then rebuild it before the other team tags you out.
- Type
- Outdoor game
- Players
- 6
- Age
- Ages 6+
- Play time
- 15–45 min
- Origin
- Iran; similar games exist across South and West Asia
Haft sang, which means "seven stones" in Persian, is a traditional team game played in Iranian alleys, schoolyards and parks. Seven flat stones are stacked into a small tower, and one team tries to knock it down with a ball and rebuild it, while the other team tries to stop them by hitting them with the same ball. The game needs only stones, a soft ball and some open ground, which is why generations of children played it with whatever they found nearby. Very similar games are known in other countries, for example as Lagori or Pithu in India. For many Iranian adults, haft sang is a strong childhood memory, and it is now often taught again in schools and at cultural festivals.
Our verdict
Haft sang combines running, aiming, teamwork and quick decisions. Everyone has a role at every moment, so no one waits on the side for long. It is cheap and easy to set up, and it teaches children to plan together and protect each other. For families of Iranian origin abroad, it is a joyful way to share a piece of cultural heritage with children. The rules are flexible, so groups can adjust the distance and ball to suit younger or older players.
What works
- Needs almost no equipment
- Keeps every player active
- Strong cultural value
What does not
- Needs a group of at least six to be fun
- Requires open space and some supervision for young children
How to play Haft Sang (Seven Stones)
Two teams of roughly equal size take part. Seven flat stones are piled one on top of another inside a marked spot. A line is drawn a few metres away. Players of the attacking team take turns throwing a ball from behind the line to knock down the tower. If all their throws miss, the teams change roles. Once the tower falls, the attackers scatter, and their aim is to rebuild the seven stones into a tower. The defending team picks up the ball and tries to hit an attacker with it below the shoulders. A player who is hit is out, and defenders may pass the ball between them but usually may not run while holding it. If the attackers rebuild the full tower and call out before all of them are hit, they win the round and earn a point. If every attacker is hit first, the defenders win and become the attackers.
Tips for new players
- Use a soft ball so that hits do not hurt, especially with young children.
- In the attacking team, choose one fast builder and let the others distract the defenders.
- Defenders should pass the ball quickly instead of chasing alone.
- Agree on house rules, such as throwing distance and hit zones, before you start.
Good for
Haft Sang (Seven Stones): common questions
What does haft sang mean?
Haft sang means "seven stones" in Persian, after the seven flat stones stacked into a small tower.
How many players do you need for haft sang?
It works best with two teams of three or more players each, but larger groups can play too.
Is haft sang played outside Iran?
Yes. Very similar games exist in several countries, for example Lagori or Pithu in India.
Haft Sang (Seven Stones) belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
