David Cornell Jr., age 11, of Nashville, Tenn., for his question.

WHEN WAS THE GAME OF QUOITS FIRST PLAYED?

Quoits is a game of tossing a metal ring, called a quoit, over a peg. It was first played in England during the 1300s. Historians say that the game probably developed from the game of horseshoes.

Any number can play quoits at one time. Championship rules call for two pegs that stand one inch above the ground and 18 yards apart. The quoits have a rim two inches wide and a four inch hole in the center.

Rubber, rope or wooden quoits are often used for indoor games.

Each player stands beside one peg and throws two quoits at the other peg. A ringer is a quoit that encircles the peg, and it counts three points. A leaner, or hobber, is a quoit that leans against the peg, and it counts two. If there are no ringers or leaners, the quoit closest to the pig counts one point.

The game usualiy ends when one player has 21 points.