Planking, the international phenomenon that started in England and spread to Asia and Australia, has come to Los Angeles.

Originally called the lying down game, planking consists of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body. Participants have their pictures taken and posted on the web, which tends to have a huge Internet following.

The game part of this activity is in the competition - players compete to find the most original, public location, and many people as possible should be involved.

The game made news in England in September 2009 when doctors and nurses were caught playing the game on duty, and suspended.

The lying down game is also known as playing dead in South Korea, On One's Belly in France, and Facedowns in USA and Ireland.

Australia coined the term planking.

Planking is harmless so long as participants consider safety and do not attempt to plank in dangerous locations. In one tragic case in Australia, a 20-year-old man plunged to his death last month while planking on a 7th floor balcony.

How far and how wide will planking spread in Los Angeles? Before the players go competing, safety is to be considered first and foremost.

Below is the Youtube video of the Walsh Brothers planking in popular sites around Los Angeles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQNTN8Z8AJY&feature=player_embedded

Australia South Korea Los Angeles Australia