DOUBLE DODGEBALL

diagram: Double Corner BallDouble Corner Ball

OBJECTS OF GAME.—The first object of the game is for a thrower on the center base to throw a ball to one of the corner goal men of his own team; each ball so caught by the goal keeper scores. One very distinctive feature of this game is the fact that each guard becomes, in turn, thrower for his team.

Another object of the game is for the guards to prevent the cornergoal men from catching the ball. This is not only for defensive play, to prevent the opponents from scoring, but has a positive value, there being a separate guard score, each ball that a guard catches and holds scoring for his team. This scoring for catches by the guards has the advantage of calling for especially active work from the guards, with much jumping in it, and leads to skillful play for catching the ball so as to hold it instead of merely touching it.

START.—The game starts with Number One of each team in his respective throwing base in the center, the guards being disposed in one or two ranks around the goals they are to guard. Each center baseman holds a ball, which he puts in play at the referee's whistle, or other signal, by throwing to one of the corner goal keepers of his team.

Each guard, as he becomes thrower, throws only to the corner on his side of the field. For instance, the guards bearing odd numbers being on the right side of the field, when player Number One throws from the center base, he will throw to the corner man on the right. Similarly, when player Number Two takes his turn at the throwing base, he will throw to the corner goal on the left-hand side of the field, as his party of guards are stationed at the left-hand side.

RULES AND POINTS OF PLAY.—The game opens with guard Number One in the center base, ready to throw the ball to the corner. Each thrower has but one throw at a turn, whether it be successful or not. Immediately that a thrower has tossed the ball, he steps back to his place among the guards, and the guard bearing the next number steps into the throwing base. The players must keep their own watch for turns to do this, and each should therefore observe at the opening of the game which guard bears the number next before his. This will be a player in the opposite division of guards of his team, as the odd numbers are guarding one corner and the even numbers another.

When each player of a team has thrown from a center base, the numbers begin over again in regular rotation. Thus, if Number Sixteen be the last thrower, Number One follows him.

Whoever catches a ball thrown to a corner, whether it be the corner goal keeper or one of the guards surrounding him, throws the ball immediately back to the center base, supposedly to thenext player, who should have stepped at once to the base when the previous thrower left it. Should this next player not have reached the center base in time to catch the ball, he picks up the ball and throws it to the proper goal keeper; but it behooves a player to be at the center base in time to catch a ball returned from a corner, because every such catch scores.

A ball caught on the center base is, of course, a return ball from the corner to which a predecessor threw it, and must be a fair throw, whether sent by one of the opponents' guards or his own goal keeper.

It may make clearer the rotation of the play to illustrate as follows: The game opens with Number One ready on the center base belonging to his team. His group of guards, that is, those bearing the odd numbers, are guarding the corner behind him on the right-hand side of the field. He therefore throws the ball on the referee's signal to the corner goal keeper for his team at the opposite end of the ground on the right-hand side. Immediately that he has thrown the ball, he steps back among his group of guards bearing the odd numbers, and Number Two of his team, who belongs to the group of guards on the left-hand side of the field, steps forward at once to the center base. Meanwhile, the ball may have been caught by the goal keeper to whom it was thrown, or by one of the guards surrounding him. It is at once tossed back to the center base from which it came, and Number Two guard should be there to catch it.

Number Two then throws the ball to the goal keeper for his team on the left-hand side of the ground. Whoever catches it at once throws it back to the same throwing base, and Number Three should be there to receive it, Number Two having returned to the ranks of his guards. So the game goes on, the guards each taking a turn at the throwing base, and each throwing the ball to the corner goal keeper on his side of the field.

Meanwhile, the same sort of game is being played by the opposite team, two balls being in play at once, and each guard taking part in each game for each team, according as he is guard around an opponent's corner goal or a thrower from the center base to his own goal men.

Each goal keeper and thrower must keep one foot in his goal or base. It is thus permissible for a goal keeper to step out of hisgoal with one foot, or lean far out of the goal to catch the ball. Of course the best kind of a throw to a goal keeper is a high curved ball that will go over the heads of the guards and fall within his goal. No guard may step within the goal he guards.

Violation of the rules about overstepping territory constitutes a foul, and scores for the opposing team.

Very alert and rapid play is needed to make this game a success. As one team (Blues) may play faster than the other (Reds), it is not necessary that Number Six of the Red team and Number Six of the Blue team, for example, should be on the center throwing bases at the same time. The two games go on independently of each other.

FOULS.—The overstepping of boundaries in ways not allowed by the rules score one for the opponents.

SCORE.—A goal keeper scores one point for his team every time that he catches a ball which has not been touched by one of the guards around his goal. A ball caught by a goal keeper after being touched by a guard does not score.

In addition to the score made by goal keepers, a guards' score is kept, each player counting the number of balls he catches and holds, no matter where he be standing, whether in his position as guard or in the center base from which he is to be thrower. Such a catch by a guard scores one point, the guards reporting their points at the end of the game. Touching the ball does not score under any circumstances. It must be caught and held.

Fouls score for opponents, as stated under "Fouls."

The score for the game for either side is the sum of all of the balls caught, according to the above rules, by the goal keepers and guards on that side. The game is usually played on time limits of from twenty to forty minutes.

For experienced players, scoring by guards may be omitted if desired. The particular object of this feature is to encourage guards to expert work in catching the ball, instead of merely interfering.

(SeeDodgeball)

plate: DRIVE BALLDRIVE BALL

10 to 30 players.

Playground; gymnasium.

Basket ball; volley ball.

This is one of the most interesting games for players beginning to care for team work. The writer has known some boys to play the game persistently for several seasons in succession.

GROUND.—A court measuring from thirty to fifty feet in length by twenty to thirty in width is divided into two equal parts, forming two courts, each of which should be a little wider than it is long. A goal about two by four feet is marked in the center rear of each court, within the boundary lines. It facilitates the game if the end of each court may be a wall or fence, and thus make sort of a backstop behind the goal.

Each court has bases marked at even distances over its surface, wherein the different players stand. These may be marked simply as a cross for a footmark, or a small circle or square. There is no particular arrangement for these, the only object being to scatter the players, no mass play being allowed in the game.

diagram: Drive BallDrive Ball

PLAYERS.—The players, of no stipulated number, are divided into two equal teams. Each team appoints a captain, who stands at the middle of the dividing line and is responsible for the discipline of his team; a goal guard, whose duty it is to keep the ball from the goal and who stands in the goal; and from six to twelve players,each assigned a certain spot marked as his territory and from which he may not move more than two feet.

OBJECT OF GAME.—The object of the game is to throw the ball into the opponents' goal.

START.—The ball is put in play by being placed on the ground at the center of the dividing line between the two captains. At a signal from an umpire, each captain hits the ball with his fist. The ball is thereafter kept moving rapidly back and forth from one court to the other, hit always with the fist. After being caught or otherwise stopped, it should be bounced or thrown from one hand and hit with the fist.

RULES.—No player may move more than two feet from the base assigned him. At no time may players do mass work. Whenever a goal is made, the ball is again started from the center by the two captains. The goal guard may not step out of the goal, even with one foot. The ball must always be hit with the closed fist.

FOULS.—It is a foul to kick the ball; to hold it; to throw it with both hands or in any way except by batting with the closed fist; it is a foul to cross the dividing line. Each foul scores one point for the opposing team.

SCORE.—Whenever a ball touches the ground inside of a goal, it scores two for the batting side. Fouls count for the opposing side, as above stated. The game is played in three rounds of fifteen minutes each, with a rest of five minutes between. The teams change courts for successive rounds. The team wins which has the highest score at the end of the third round.

EMPEROR BALL(SeeCaptain Ball—IV)

END BALL(SeeAppendix)

6 to 30 or more players.

Playground; gymnasium; parlor.

Volley ball; basket ball; gas ball.

This game is very similar to Volley Ball, but differs from that game in the fact that the ball is hit with the fist instead of the open hand; that the ball may bound on the ground; and that the general rules are simpler. For large numbers two balls may be used, as described at the end.

GROUND.—The ground should be, if possible, one hundred feet long and sixty feet wide, with clearly defined boundaries. Across the center of the ground a rope or cord is stretched, head high, which divides the ground into two equal courts. If desired, each court may be divided into small squares, one for each player, to prevent mass play.

PLAYERS.—The players are divided into two equal teams, each of which scatters promiscuously over the court unless assigned to squares as described above. The players in each team should be numbered consecutively to facilitate rotation in serving. One officer will be needed to act as umpire and scorer.

OBJECT OF GAME.—The object of the game is to send the ball back and forth across the stretched cord, striking it only with the fist. The game is defensive; that is, the scoring is done by one party when the opponents fail to return the ball or to keep it properly in play.

START.—The ball is put in play by a regular serve at the opening of the game, after each point scored, and after going out of play. The players take turns in serving for their team, being numbered before the game opens. The sides alternate in serving after a score.

The player who serves the ball should stand at a central point ten feet from the dividing line, and may serve the ball in two ways. He may bound it and bat it with the fist over into the opponents' court, or he may hold it above his head, let go of it, and as it falls serve it with his fist. The ball must go over the line to be in play. Should a server fail in this, the ball must be handed to the opposite side, which then has a trial. After a ball has otherwise gone out of play, it is served anew by the side responsible for the failure.

RULES AND POINTS OF PLAY.—The ball must cross into the opponents' court above the cord to score or be properly in play.

A ball to score its highest (two points) must be returned after a serve without bounding, although any number of players may hit it or keep it in the air before sending it back over the line. A ball may bound once before being returned and score less (one point). It is out of play if it bounds twice without being hit between the bounds.

Several methods of play are permissible, but the rule is invariablethat the ball must always be hit with the closed fist, and always from underneath, except for sending it across the line. It must reach the opponents' court from a blow and not from a bound. Either fist may be used in striking a ball, but never both at once. A player may "dribble" the ball in the air before batting it over the line to the opponents; that is, he may keep it in the air by hitting it from underneath with his closed fist ("nursing" it) until he is prepared to bat it with his fist. A ball hit with the forearm is considered properly in play except for a service. Several players on one side may play on the ball before sending it into the opponents' court. In doing this the ball may bounce once after every time it is hit with the fist.

A ball is out of play (1) when it passes under the line or touches the line; (2) when it touches the ground twice in succession without being hit between the bounds; (3) when it touches the ground outside the boundaries from a blow; (4) when it bounds out of boundaries. Whenever a ball is put out of play in these ways, it is sent back to the side responsible for the failure, and they must put it in play again.

Whenever a side scores a point, the ball must again be put into play with a regular serve, the sides taking turns in this, and each player on a side serving in turn.

SCORE.—The score is made by both sides and is for returning the ball. If returned to the opponents without touching the ground, it counts two points for those returning it. A ball which touches the ground once before being hit back over the line scores one point. The game consists of twenty-five points.

After each game the two sides exchange courts.

FOR LARGE NUMBERSit is very desirable to have two or more balls in play at once. They are served simultaneously from opposite sides of the ground, at the opening of the game. There should be one score keeper for each ball.

FOR THE PARLOR.—This game may be played in the parlor with a light gas ball measuring four or five inches in diameter, or with a child's gas balloon. The same rules apply as in other forms of the game.

5 to 30 or more players.

Playground; gymnasium.

Football.

Each of the players has three points at the beginning of the game. The players are scattered promiscuously over the ground or gymnasium. One player, who is It, has a football which he kicks lightly toward any other player, the idea being to tag some other by mere touch of the ball. Any one so touched or tagged by the ball loses one of the three points with which he started, and also becomes It, trying in turn to kick the ball so it will tag one of his fellows. There are no restrictions as to the moving about of players to evade the ball. The latter must not be touched with the hands, nor may it be kicked higher than the chests of the players. Any one infringing these rules loses one point for each offense, and remains It until he successfully tags some one according to rules. Any player who loses his three points is out of the game, and the player wins who remains longest in the field.

(Preliminary Ball)

1 to 100 players.

Playground; gymnasium.

Hand ball; bean bags.

When little children first begin to handle a ball the size of an ordinary hand ball, the acquirement of skill in tossing and catching is not altogether easy. Experience with such children has shown that some preliminary drill is very desirable as a preparation for the ball games. This drill may itself be done in the play spirit and made very interesting.The various movements described may be general (by the class in unison) in time to music or counting; or they may be done individually or with partners as indicated, irrespective of the time in which other individuals or partners are working.In the latter method the play may be competitive, the pupils counting the number of times in which they bound or toss or catch without missing, the one reaching the highest number winning.It will be noted that the drill seeks to cultivate equal skill of both hands. This is very desirable in many games and should be done aside from any theories as to the value of ambidexterity.

The various movements described may be general (by the class in unison) in time to music or counting; or they may be done individually or with partners as indicated, irrespective of the time in which other individuals or partners are working.

In the latter method the play may be competitive, the pupils counting the number of times in which they bound or toss or catch without missing, the one reaching the highest number winning.

It will be noted that the drill seeks to cultivate equal skill of both hands. This is very desirable in many games and should be done aside from any theories as to the value of ambidexterity.

INDIVIDUAL PLAY

1. Bound, and catch with both hands, palmsupward.

2. Bound, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palmupward.

3. Bound, hit to rebound once, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palmupward.

4. Bound, and catch with one hand (right, then left), the palmdownwardin catching ("dog snack").

5. Bound, hit to rebound twice, or more times, and catch with one hand (right, then left).

WITH PARTNERS

(If there be many players they may stand in long ranks facing each other for these drills, or in separate couples scattered promiscuously over the ground. In either case they should begin with a comparatively short distance, say of three feet, between partners, and gradually increase the distance.)

1. Bound to partner, who will catch with both hands.

2. Bound to partner, who will catch with one hand (right, then left), palmupward.

3. Bound to partner, who will catch with one hand (right, then left), palmdownward.

4. Bound to partner, who will return ball by hitting it for a rebound without catching it. This may be kept up between the two indefinitely.

INDIVIDUAL PLAY

1. Toss, and catch ball with both hands.

2. Toss, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palmupward.

3. Toss, and hit it to retoss in the air without catching (right hand, then left), palmupward.

WITH PARTNERS

1. Toss ball to partner, who will catch with both hands.

2. Toss ball to partner, who will catch with one hand (right, then left), palmupward.

3. Toss ball to partner, who will catch with one hand (right, then left), palmoutward("dog snack").

INDIVIDUAL PLAY

1. Throw ball upward against a wall, allow it to bound once, and catch with both hands.

2. Throw ball against wall, bound once, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palmupward.

3. Throw against wall, bound once, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palmdownward.

4. Throw against wall and catch without bounding on the ground with one hand (right, then left), palmupward.

5. Throw, and catch without bounding on ground, with one hand (right, then left), palmoutward.

WITH PARTNERS

1. Repeat the above throws against the wall, the partner catching in each case as designated in the list.

INDIVIDUAL PLAY

1. Toss or throw the ball straight upward as high as possible; catch it in one hand (right, then left), with palmupward.

2. Toss or throw the ball straight upward as high as possible; catch it in one hand (right, then left), palmoutward("dog snack").

3. Hold out one arm, say the left, straight in front at shoulder level; holding the ball in the right hand, swing the right arm outward in a full circle; toss the ball upward from under the outstretched arm, and catch with the hand that threw, palmoutward.

4. Repeat this throwing with the left hand, holding out the right.

5. Toss the ball sideways over one's own head, and catch on the opposite side. This is done as follows: Holding the ball in the right hand, swing the right arm out sideways, and from about shoulder level toss the ball over the head toward the left side. Catch it on the left side near shoulder level with the left hand, palm upward or outward.

6. Reverse, tossing from the left hand and catching with the right.

7. Toss the ball under the upraised knee as follows: Holding the ball in the right hand, raise the right knee upward, bent at an angle, swing the right arm in circle outward, and toss the ball upward from under the knee; that is, from the inner side of the leg; catch with the hand that threw, palmoutward. Repeat with the left hand and knee.

8. Throw the ball upward behind the back, so that it comes forward over the opposite shoulder, as follows: Holding the ball in the right hand, circle the right arm outward, bend the arm behind the back, toss the ball upward over the left shoulder, and catch it over the head or in front with the hand that threw, palm outward. Reverse, using the left arm and throwing over the right shoulder. When this is first tried the ball may not be thrown very high or very well as to direction; but it is a fascinating throw to practice and may soon be done with a high toss and very accurately.

10 to 30 or more players.

Playground; gymnasium.

Basket ball.

GROUND.—The ground should be marked off with boundary lines, which should inclose a space at least fifty feet long by twenty or twenty-five wide. For expert players a much larger ground is desirable. Ten feet from the rear boundary line at either end of the field, another line is drawn, on which the players line up.

PLAYERS.—The players are divided into two equal teams, each of which selects a kicker for the ball. There should also be one leader who serves for the two teams. The kicker for each team stands five feet within his half of the ground measuring from thecenter, and should be halfway between the two side boundary lines. The rest of the players for each team line up on the line previously designated for that purpose. The leader stands at one side of the field near a boundary line.

OBJECT.—The object of the game is to kick the ball over the heads of the opposing team.

diagram: Hand FootballHand Football

START.—The leader puts the ball in play by throwing it so it will touch the ground between the two kickers. Both kickers at once run for the ball and try to kick it over the heads of their opponents.

RULES AND POINTS OF PLAY.—The players on the line-up may intercept the ball only with their hands. They may not grasp or kick the ball, but merely bat it with the hands. At no time may they leave their places on the line.

SCORE.—A point is scored whenever a kicker succeeds in sending the ball beyond his opponents' line-up. Players then exchange fields for the next round. Ten points win the game.

10 to 60 players.

Schoolroom.

Gas balls or bean bags.

Arrange the players so that all the rows are filled and the same number in each row. No. 1 in each row has a bean bag or ball, and at the word "Start!" stands and throws the bag or ball to No. 2, who also stands at the word "Start." No. 2 throws it back to No. 1 and sits down while No. 1 throws the ball to No. 3, who stands up as soon as No. 2 is seated. No. 3 throws it back to No. 1 and the game continues until No. 1 has thrown the ball to the last player in the row. When No. 1 receives the ball from the last player, he lays it down on the desk and runs to the seat of the last player, while all players move up toward the front one seat. No. 2 in the row then becomes No. 1, and tosses the ball as his predecessor did. The game continues until the original No. 1 reaches his original place and calls "Home run!" thus scoring a point for his row and starts again. The row scoring the most points during fifteen minutes becomes the winner.

This game was originated by Miss Amy A. Young of Cleveland, Ohio, and was submitted in a competition for schoolroom games conducted by the Girls' Branch of the Public Schools Athletic League of New York City in 1906. This game was one that received honorable mention, and is here published by the kind permission of the author, and of the Girls' Branch, and of Messrs. A. G. Spalding & Brothers, who publish the handbook in which the game first appeared.

10 to 60 or more players.

Schoolroom.

Gas balls; bean bags.

For this game a line should be drawn on the floor across the front of the schoolroom, a short distance in front of the blackboard.One player from each row of seats takes his place toeing this line. Another line is drawn at the front of each aisle even with the edge of the front desks. The game consists in a tossing of the ball from the leader on the forward line to different players, who take their places in turn on the line at the head of the aisle. Each row of seats should contain an even number of players, as the different lines compete with each other.

The first players in the rows rise from their seats on a given signal, toe the line at the head of their aisle, and catch the ball, which should be tossed to them immediately by the leader who stands opposite. This player quickly returns the ball to the leader by means of another toss, and sits down at once. His sitting is a signal for the player next behind him to run forward to the line, catch the ball from the leader, toss it back to the leader, and reseat himself. This continues until every player in the line has caught and returned the ball, when the leader should return to his seat and hold the ball up at arm's length, as a signal that his line has finished. The line wins whose leader is the first to do this.

For a more advanced form of this game, seeHome Run.

(See alsoLine Club Bowls (Single);Center Club Bowls;Circle Club Bowls.)

2 to 60 or more players.

Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom.

Hand ball; bean bag; Indian clubs.

This game is like Single Club Bowls, except that the object of the play is to pass the ball or bean bag between a pair of upright Indian clubs, instead of trying to knock one over.

If there be afew players, one pair of clubs is set up for each player, with an interval between them two inches wider than the diameter of the ball that is used. At from ten to twenty feet from the clubs a line is drawn on which the players stand to throw. The players slide the bag over the floor or roll the ball; all play at once, each player scoring one if his ball or bag goes between the clubs without knocking them over. The clubs are then put in order if displaced, the balls or bags gathered up, and the players return to the starting line and bowl again.

The player wins who first scores twenty-five or fifty, as may be determined before the game opens.

The group or team with the highest score when all have bowled wins.

(See alsoLine Club Bowls (Double);Center Club Bowls;Circle Club Bowls.)

2 to 60 or more players.

Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom.

Basket ball; hand ball; bean bag; Indian club.

This game differs from Double Club Bowls only in the object of the play. In Single Club Bowls the object is to knock over one Indian club which stands alone. In Double Club Bowls the object is to bowl the ball or bean bag between two upright Indian clubs without knocking them over.

Any kind of ball or bean bag may be used for this game. If there befew players, one Indian club is set up for each player, all clubs being widely separated and on a given line. At from ten to thirty feet from this club line a second line is drawn, on which the players must stand to play. The players all slide the bag over the floor or roll the ball, at once, each player scoring one when he knocks over his Indian club. The clubs are then replaced, the balls or bags gathered up, and the players return to the starting line and bowl again.

The player wins who first scores twenty-five or fifty, as may be determined before the game opens.

Where there is alarge number of players, the same form of play is used with the players in relay formation; that is, they should be divided into groups of equal numbers, each group lining up in single file before the starting line, and each member of a group bowling in turn for the club. After each player has bowled, he should replace the club and bring back the ball or bean bag to the next player. In this form of the play it is not necessary forthe different rows to throw simultaneously, unless that be desired as a question of order or to facilitate the scoring. The row or team which makes the highest score wins.

(SeeZigzag Games.)

10 to 100 players.

Playground; gymnasium.

Basket ball; hand ball.

This is a game of ball played by half of the players while mounted on the backs of the other players. It is therefore desirable that the players be paired off so that the two in each pair should be of nearly equal weight and size.

The players form a circle in pairs. To do this they line up two abreast, each with his selected partner. This double line then marches in circle, halts, and faces inward. This will form two concentric circles. There should be considerable space between couples; in other words, the circle should be rather large in comparison with the number of players. It is then decided by a toss-up or otherwise which of the two circles shall first be "ponies" and which shall be riders. The ponies bend forward from the hips, pressing their hands against the knees, or thighs just above the knees. The knees should be stiff, not bent. The backs are thus bent forward and the riders mount, straddling the shoulders of the players who are ponies.

The ball is put in play by being tossed from any player to another, and the game consists on the part of the riders in trying to keep the ball in as active play as possible in a simple game of toss and catch, and on the part of the ponies in trying to prevent the catching of the ball. To do this the ponies must grow restive and turn around in any way they see fit, but must not lose their general places in the circle.

When a rider fails to catch a ball, all of the riders must at once dismount and run in any direction; the pony belonging to the riderwho missed the ball picks up the ball immediately, and as soon as he has it calls "Halt!" All of the riders must then stand still, and the player who holds the ball tries to hit his recent rider. The rider aimed at may try to evade the ball by stooping or jumping, but must not otherwise leave his place on the floor. During this part of the play the other ponies remain in their position in the circle, so that the one who is throwing the ball will not confuse them with the riders. If the player (pony) who throws the ball at his dismounted rider succeeds in hitting him, all of the ponies and riders exchange places, the riders becoming ponies and the former ponies mounting them. If the player aiming the ball at his dismounted rider does not succeed in hitting him, the riders remount and the game goes on as before.

It is not permissible for a rider to hold a ball at any time, no matter how difficult his position at the moment may be; he must toss it at once. It is well to have a leader, whether one of the players or not, who watches for mistakes, gives the commands to mount and dismount, and announces misses and hits.

This game was played by the ancient Greeks, and is found in various forms in many countries. It is needless to say that it is one of the more strenuous games. When properly played it contains great sport.

18 to 60 players.

Playground; gymnasium.

Basket ball.

This is one of the comparatively few games that gives a large amount of activity to a large number of players playing at the same time. The game as here given is the invention of Miss Cora B. Clark and Miss Caroline M. Wollaston of New York City, by whose kind permission the game is here printed. It has proven to be a most popular and interesting game.

GROUND.—The playground or court should measure about forty by forty feet in outside dimensions, the basket ball goals being placed at the usual height (ten feet) on opposite sides of the court. One basket belongs to each team. For instance, the teams are designated as Red and Blue; one basket belongs to the Red team andthe other to the Blue team. The ground is then further divided into nine even squares. This may be done in any of the usual lining methods as described on page 301. The small squares are numbered in consecutive order around the outside, starting in one corner; the ninth one is in the center. When players are learning the game it may be advisable to mark these numbers on the ground, but for players familiar with the game this may be dispensed with.

diagram: Nine-court Basket BallNine-court Basket Ball

TEAMS.—While from eighteen to sixty players may play this game at once, eighteen makes the best playing number. Where there is a larger number it may be found best to divide them into two sets, each set to play for ten minutes and then give place to the other, and so on alternately.

The players are divided into two teams, each with a captain. The teams are chosen by the following method:

The players are lined up according to height and either by marching (one to the right and one to the left) or by numbering off (the even numbers stepping out of the line) are divided into two files standing side by side. Each file constitutes a team, and each member of a team is paired off with the opponent standing in the file beside him. By this method the two opponents forming a couple are of practically equal height.

The couples are numbered as they pair off, the number indicating to which court they shall go for the opening of the game. Thus, couple Number One will go to the small court marked 1, couple Number Two to the court marked 2, etc. Should there be more than nine couples, the tenth couple will go to court number 1, the next couple to court number 2, etc. Usually only one or two couples go to each small court, but sometimes three or four couplesmust be so assigned, to accommodate a large number of players. Where there are so many, however, it will be found best to divide the number into halves, one half playing at a time, as previously mentioned. Should there be an odd player (without a partner), he is placed in the center court (number nine), and remains there throughout the game. A good leader, however, will see that some player changes off with this odd individual during the game.

It will thus be seen that each court contains an equal number of players of each team. For instance, if there be but two players in a court, one of them belongs to the Red team and the other to the Blue team. If there be four players in the court, two of these belong to the Red team and two to the Blue team, etc.

OBJECTS OF THE GAME.—The objects of the game for each team are, (1) to throw the ball into its own basket; this may be done from any court in the diagram; and (2) to prevent the opponents from putting the ball into their basket.

One of the marked characteristics of this game is the constant change or progression in the position of players, as every time that a goal is made with the ball the players all move to the next square or small court. This is done in order to give each player an opportunity to play from all positions on the field. This makes all-round players, and gives the retiring, less aggressive ones a fair share of the play. It also prevents certain players having the most desirable positions throughout the game.

START.—The game is started by the teacher or referee tossing the ball in the air between two opposing players in court nine, each facing his own basket. Each player tries to send the ball toward his own basket, others playing upon the ball immediately.

RULES AND POINTS OF PLAY.—The ball may be thrown for a basket from any of the courts. In other words, it is not necessary for the ball to be passed to a player in court two to be thrown for the red basket, or to court six in order to be thrown to the blue basket, though that may be a desirable play. Experience has shown, however, that when a player on the Blue team is standing in one of the courts farthest away, even in court two, it is not usually wise to throw to court six by way of the center (court nine), as too much massing of players results. The Blue team player in court two will often find it better to throw the ball to a player of this teamin court one or three, and so on around the outer edge to court six; although there is no rule to prevent throwing the ball wherever a player pleases. As a general rule, the more zigzag the path of the ball, the more open the game. Short passes make a better game than long ones.

Players must remain in their own small courts except when progressing. It is optional, however, whether any penalty shall be attached to momentary stepping over the lines between small courts in the excitement of rapid catching and passing. This point should be decided before the game opens, and would probably be used only with experienced players. No player may step over the outer boundary lines, except to get the ball when it goes afield. A throw for a basket made with even one foot outside of the outer boundary lines is a foul.

Guarding is done by holding the hands or arms over the opponent's ball to hinder the aim, but neither the ball nor the holder of it may be touched. Only one player is allowed to guard a thrower, no matter how many players may be in the small court where the thrower stands. The two opponents who first pair off at the opening of the game when places are assigned, act thereafter as guards one to the other, no other players being allowed to fill that office.

When two players have possession of a ball, the one who touched it first has the right to it. If this cannot be decided instantly, the ball is thrown up between them as at the start of the game, the nearest player tossing it. For a good game this rule should be strictly enforced, no discussion over the possession of a ball being allowed.

When the ball goes outside of the outer boundaries of the court, only one player may go after it. All of the players in the small court through which it left this boundary may start for it, but the first one over the line continues and secures the ball. Players from other courts may not try to get a ball that thus goes afield. When a ball has gone afield, the player picking it up must throw it from the point where it is picked up to any court player. No running or walking with the ball is allowed in thus returning the ball to the courts.

In playing on the ball, no player is allowed to hold the ball orto run or walk with it. A player may turn around quickly with the ball, but must throw it at once. A player transgressing these rules must give the ball to his opponents—that is, to the opponent who has been paired off with him.

FOULS.—No scoring is made on the fouls. Transgression of any of the rules given above is punished by giving the ball to the opponents, the transgressor in each case giving it to the opponent paired off with him.

SCORE.—A team scores one point each time that it makes a goal. The game is played on time limits, the team winning which has the highest score at the end. Where a large number of players is divided into two parties to take turns at playing, the time limits for each are generally ten minutes; with such rest intervals the two parties may play indefinitely. Where all of the players are engaged in one game the period may be anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes.

10 to 100 players.

Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom.

Balls; bean bags; substitutes.

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