Blog / The Game Plan / You.Fo

A new sports game that it is conquering the hearts of Canadian Phys Ed Teachers and ‘Sportslovers’, it is called YOU.FO RingCross.

By Giel Bos – Director of Sports at YOU.FO RingCross

There is a big chance you have never heard of the sports and leisure game YOU.FO RingCross. Even though YOU.FO RingCross is already played in 2500+ schools worldwide in 25+ countries, it has been recognized with the Dutch National Sports Innovation Award & the European Sports Innovation Award, and there have been multiple world cups already. And, to make it even more special, Canada is pretty good at it! Yes, that’s correct, you guys became second in the 2023 World Cup and third in the 2024 World Cup (which is maybe logical because of the strong Lacrosse culture).

But, let’s start at the beginning. With the initial idea of throwing a rubber dog ring with a wooden stick, YOU.FO RingCross is based on throwing and catching an aerodynamic ring with specially designed sticks. The patented sports game is developed in co-creation with PE teachers and students, the Dutch Olympic Committee and using research conducted on 1000+ kids on what elements and rules they like and dislike about existing sports games. 

Resulting in a versatile sports and leisure game, that can be played on each surface (both in- as outdoors), competitive or freestyle, in teams or one-on-one and based on the standards for physical education. YOU.FO RingCross is described as fun, dynamic and challenging. Summarized as “Easy to play, fun to master”, claiming that the basics are fun and easy to learn, but practice and repetition is needed for improving your skills. 

The official sportsgame is played 3 versus 3, but it can also be played 4 against 4, or 5 against 5. It is played mixed-gender, non-contact, self-regulated, but the most important (and unique) rule is that players continue playing at all times. There is no out-of-bounds (as long as safety is maintained), and if the rings isn’t caught, but it lands on the ground. There is no turnover, and each (offensive or defensive) player could claim the ring to maintain or take over possession. For a tutorial video on game rules, scan the QR code. 

The unique ruleset for YOU.FO RingCross is developed to create an exhilarating and unique game to engage pupils and students of all ages and abilities. YOU.FO RingCross is played as an invasion game, in which a score is made by catching the ring in the opponents scoring zone (endzone). 

Because you continue playing at all times, allowing players to make mistakes (e.g. no out-of-bounds, or you can claim a ring after you dropped it), it levels the playing field, increasing the level of competence and autonomy for students. In addition, the ring possessive player is not allowed to move, he is she is forced to pass to a teammate. For that reason, team work and inter-player dynamics are ensured. 
As a non-contact and self-regulated sports game, YOU.FO’s ruleset ensures safety for all players. For example, players always need to remain arm and stick length distance from the ring possessive player, and the ring possessive player is not allowed to throw in the direction of a blocking player. 

For Physical Education YOU.FO RingCross has shown to perfectly fit the Canadian Phys Ed standards, it is versatile and has lots of play variations. There is a Phys Ed Curriculum (Teaching plan) available for free, focusing on developing a variety of motor and social skills through movement. Including fun and challenging activities, tutorial videos, lesson plans, challenges and mini games.

All developed to create a solid entry for all age groups, learning constructively with challenging activities combined with feeling of success (using smart methodologies that ensure success for all players). Using modifications on individual level, to ensure leveling the playing of your class. This makes each and every student being involved, being challenged, but also feeling competend. Examples are adjustments to catch by hand, no turnover when the ring lands on the ground, and many more adjustments to make it addictive for everyone in Phys Ed. Because it can be played both in- as outdoors, YOU.FO RingCross is fun all year around. 

Introduce it to your pupils and students, who can get activated and moved by a new and innovative movement concept, called YOU.FO RingCross. Our dream is to host and organize our 2028 World Cup in Canada, so let’s make the ring fly together!