(See alsoSchoolroom Volley Ball.)
2 to 30 players.
Playground; gymnasium.
Volley ball.
This game consists in keeping a large ball in motion back and forth across a high net by striking it with the open palm. The ball must not be allowed to touch the floor.
GROUND.—For large teams this game should be played on a ground measuring fifty feet long and twenty-five feet wide. For smaller teams a smaller ground will answer.
A tennis net, or net two feet wide, preferably the latter, is stretched across the center of the ground, from side to side, extending one or two feet beyond the boundaries on either side. The upper edge should be from six feet six inches to seven feet six inches above the ground.
diagram: Volley BallVolley Ball
PLAYERS.—Any number of players up to thirty may play. The players are evenly divided into two parties, which scatter over their respective courts without special arrangement. There is a captain for each side. An umpire is desirable.
OBJECT OF THE GAME.—The object of the game for each party is to keep the ball in lively play toward its opponents' court, as each party scores only on its opponents' failures to return the ball or keep it in the air.
The ball is put in play by being served by the party which is to score. The service of the ball, and with it the privilege of scoring, pass to the opponents according to the rules described hereinafter.
START; RULES FOR SERVICE.—The ball is put in play by being served by a member of one side, who should stand at the rear of his court with one foot on the rear boundary line and the other behind the line. From this position the ball is tossed upward lightly from one hand and batted with the palm of the other hand toward or into the opponents' court.
Each server has two trials in which to send the ball into the opponents' court. The service being over a long course with a comparatively heavy ball, the following privileges are allowed: a served ball may be assisted on its course by any two other players on the server's side; no player so assisting the ball on the serve may strike it more than twice in succession, and the server under such circumstances may not strike it more than once; but should the ball thenfail to land in the opponents' court, the server loses his second serve.
In serving, the ball must be batted at least ten feet by the server before being touched by any other player on his side.
No "dribbling" is allowed in serving.
A successful server continues serving until his side allows the ball to touch the floor, knocks it out of bounds, or fails to return it to the opponents. A server may also lose as follows:
If a returned ball hits a player on the server's side and bounces into the opponents' court, it is considered in play. If it hits such a player and does not bounce into the opponents' court, the server is out, losing his second trial.
If the ball hits the net during service, it is counted a dead ball and loses the server one of his trials.
If a served ball falls outside the opponents' court, the server loses his turn.
The players on a side take turns in serving.
RULES OF PLAY.—The ball must always be batted with the open palm. The ball should be returned by the opponents before it can strike the ground. Any number of players may strike the ball to send it across the net, but no player may strike more than twice in succession. Having struck the ball twice, a player may resume his play only after some other player has struck it. The ball is thus volleyed back and forth across the net until one side fails to return it or allows it to touch the floor, or until it goes out of bounds. A ball is put out of play by hitting the net in returning after a serve. A ball which bounds back into the court after striking any other object except the floor or ceiling is still in play. It is permissible to strike the ball with both hands at once (open palms).
If a player touches the net at any time, the ball is thereby put out of play. Should this player be on the serving side, his side loses the ball and it goes to the opponents. Should this player be on the receiving side, the serving side scores one point. Should the net be touched simultaneously by opponents, the ball is thereby put out of play and the serving side serves again.
No dribbling is allowed at any time through the game;i.e.no keeping the ball in the air by one player hitting it quickly and repeatedly.
In sending the ball across the net, players should aim for an unprotected part of the opponents' court, or try in other ways to place them at a disadvantage.
SCORE.—This is entirely a defensive game, the score being made on opponents' fouls and failures. Aside from fouls, only the serving side scores. A good serve unreturned scores one point for the serving side. A point is similarly scored by the serving side at any time when the opponents fail to return a ball which is in play. Failure of the serving side to return a ball to the opponents' court merely puts them out; that is, the serve passes to the opponents, but no score is made on the failure. Should a player touching the net be on the receiving side, the serving side scores one point. A ball sent under the net is out of play and counts against the side which last struck it, their opponents scoring one point. If the ball strikes any object outside the court and bounds back, although it is still in play, it counts against the side which struck it out, their opponents scoring one point. A ball sent out of bounds by the receiving side in returning a service scores one point for the serving side. One point is scored for the opponents whenever a player catches the ball, or holds it for even an instant. The game consists of twenty-one points.
(See alsoHand Ball Drill.)
2 to 10 players.
Out of doors; gymnasium.
Hand ball.
This drill consists in throwing a ball against a wall, and catching it, with the following variations. It may be used for individual play, or for competition between two players, or as a game for large numbers. When used for large numbers, the players should be divided into several teams of equal numbers, each player throwing in turn for as many feats as he can perform without failure, each successful feat or play scoring one point for his team. He gives place to the next player upon failing.
This drill consists in throwing a ball against a wall, and catching it, with the following variations. It may be used for individual play, or for competition between two players, or as a game for large numbers. When used for large numbers, the players should be divided into several teams of equal numbers, each player throwing in turn for as many feats as he can perform without failure, each successful feat or play scoring one point for his team. He gives place to the next player upon failing.
Each play should be first performed by allowing the ball to bounce once on the ground before catching it; later it should be caught without the bound.
10 to 60 players.
Playground; gymnasium.
Basket ball.
Two concentric circles are drawn at each end of the playground, the size of the circles depending on the number of players. When there are thirty on each side, the diameter of the inner circle should be fifteen feet and that of the outer circle thirty feet. The inner circle is the fortress, and the space between the two circles is the trench. Behind each trench is drawn a prison ten feet square. The rest of the floor is the battlefield. The players are divided into two teams, which take possession of the two fortresses. Then one side advances to attack the fortress of the other side. The attacking party has a basket ball, which represents ammunition.The object is to throw the ball in such a way as to strike within the opponents' fortress. The assailants surround the trench and pass the ball among themselves until a favorable opportunity offers for a well-directed shot. By making this preliminary passing of the ball very rapid, the enemy is confused as to the quarter from which the ball may be expected. If one of the assailing party enters the enemy's trench, he may be tagged, and so become a prisoner, being placed in the prison and therefore out of the play. If the shot (throw of the ball), when finally made for the enemy's fortress, be successful, the assailing party scores one, and all of its men who are held prisoners are set free.
The defending party during the attack stand within their trench or their fortress, as they see fit, and try to block the ball. If at any time the ball falls into their hands, they immediately rush out in an attack on the enemy's fortress at the opposite end of the ground, and in transit may tag with the ball, and so make prisoners of, as many of the enemy as they can touch. The enemy must therefore, when a ball lands within its opponents' fortress, flee immediately for the safety of its own fortress. The attackingen routemay be done either by throwing the ball or by touching the opponent with the ball held in hand; but it may only be done with the ball and not with the hand alone.
When the opposite fortress has been reached, the attacking party tries to throw the ball within it, and the game goes on as before. Members of the defending party may at any time go outside of their trench to get the ball, but run great risk of being made prisoners in doing so by having the ball thrown from the enemy so as to hit them. When a ball is aimed for this purpose, if the player at whom it is aimed touches or intercepts it in any way, he is a prisoner. Of course he may dodge it.
Each single point that is made is called a battle, and the side that wins the greater number of battles within the time limit wins the game.
This game was originated by Mr. J. E. Doldt, and is here printed by kind permission of members of the Alumni Association of the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics, from their book,One Hundred and Fifty Gymnastic Games.
This game was originated by Mr. J. E. Doldt, and is here printed by kind permission of members of the Alumni Association of the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics, from their book,One Hundred and Fifty Gymnastic Games.
These games may be played with any kind of a ball or with bean bags.There are several forms of Zigzag Ball. The simpler forms are useful in getting young players or those unused to play accustomed to the skill of handling balls. The more complicated forms make very lively games, interesting to players of any age. The different games are played in line and circle formation. The main characteristics of the different line forms are as follows:—(1) The players are divided into groups of two ranks each, each group forming a separate team. The ball is zigzagged from one rank to another of a group without skipping any players. The groups are competitive, as in relay races.(2) The players stand in groups of two lines each, but these groups are composed of two different teams, the alternate players of one rank and the alternate players of the opposite rank forming one team, and the intervening players of the two ranks another.(3) The players are divided into groups, as in the first form, each group consisting of one team arranged in two ranks which face each other, but the ball is zigzagged by skipping every alternate player as it works its way to the end of the line in one direction, and is tossed by these skipped players on its return to the front, thus forming a double zigzag.Other forms of the game are also here given; namely, the Circle Zigzag, and the Zigzag Overhead Toss, in which latter game the ball is tossed over the heads of intervening ranks, the players of alternate ranks belonging to the same party.In all of these forms the game may be made more lively and complicated by advancing from the use of one ball to that of two or more. The kind of ball used will also make a great difference in the play, anything from a bean bag to a basket ball or medicine ball being suitable. Where bean bags are used, it is desirable to have different colored bags for the different teams.
These games may be played with any kind of a ball or with bean bags.
There are several forms of Zigzag Ball. The simpler forms are useful in getting young players or those unused to play accustomed to the skill of handling balls. The more complicated forms make very lively games, interesting to players of any age. The different games are played in line and circle formation. The main characteristics of the different line forms are as follows:—
(1) The players are divided into groups of two ranks each, each group forming a separate team. The ball is zigzagged from one rank to another of a group without skipping any players. The groups are competitive, as in relay races.
(2) The players stand in groups of two lines each, but these groups are composed of two different teams, the alternate players of one rank and the alternate players of the opposite rank forming one team, and the intervening players of the two ranks another.
(3) The players are divided into groups, as in the first form, each group consisting of one team arranged in two ranks which face each other, but the ball is zigzagged by skipping every alternate player as it works its way to the end of the line in one direction, and is tossed by these skipped players on its return to the front, thus forming a double zigzag.
Other forms of the game are also here given; namely, the Circle Zigzag, and the Zigzag Overhead Toss, in which latter game the ball is tossed over the heads of intervening ranks, the players of alternate ranks belonging to the same party.
In all of these forms the game may be made more lively and complicated by advancing from the use of one ball to that of two or more. The kind of ball used will also make a great difference in the play, anything from a bean bag to a basket ball or medicine ball being suitable. Where bean bags are used, it is desirable to have different colored bags for the different teams.
12 to 60 players.
Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom.
Basket ball; hand ball; bean bag.
This is a game of zigzag ball (or bean bag) between concentric circles, two balls being used, going in opposite directions. The players stand in two concentric circles, facing each other, each circle numbered by twos. The first Number One in the outer circle and the first Number Two in the inner circle have each a ball. These are put in play at a signal, the play consisting in throwing the ballsbackward and forward in a zigzag line from one circle to the other, the Numbers One in the inner circle throwing to the Numbers One in the outer, and Numbers Two in the inner to Numbers Two in the outer. The inner circle should start its ball to the right; the outer circle should start its ball to the left. The Number One party or the Number Two party wins according to which first completes the circle three times.
diagram: Circle ZigzagCircle Zigzag
If desired, the Numbers One may each tie a handkerchief on one arm to distinguish them from the Numbers Two.
This game may be made more interesting and require much more alertness on the part of the players by putting more balls into play. This may be done by the starters starting a second ball around the circle as soon as the first has reached the third player. In this way several balls may be used at once.
As in all zigzag games, each player should observe closely before the game begins from which player he is to catch the ball, and to which player he is to throw. This will facilitate the rapidity of the play, a feature on which much of the sport depends. For very young or unskilled players the action should be rather slow, especially when the game is being learned.
20 to 100 players.
Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom.
Any ball; bean bag.
The players are divided into two or more groups which compete against each other. Each group is divided into two ranks, the players standing side by side, with a distance of from two to five feet between each two players. The ranks of a group face each other, with a distance of five feet between them. One rank should stand farther to the rear than itsvis-a-vis, so that each player is opposite a space instead of a player.
diagram: Line Zigzag—ILine Zigzag—I
The first player in one rank of each group has a ball. At a given signal this is thrown to the first player in the opposite rank. This player throws it quickly to the second player of the first rank, and so on in zigzag form to the end of the line, where the ball is immediately sent back again in the same way to the front. The group which first gets its ball back to the head wins.
When players have had a little practice with one ball, two or more should be used, the starters starting the second ball down the line as soon as the first ball has reached the third player. Where several balls are used in this way, the last player of the line must hold the balls until all are received before starting them on their return journey.
20 to 100 players.
Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom.
Any ball; bean bag.
diagram: Line Zigzag—IILine Zigzag—II
In this form of zigzag ball the players are all in two ranks, which comprise two competing teams, rather than in groups of two ranks each, as in the preceding game. The players of one team alternate with the players of the opposing team in each of the two ranks. The balls will cross in starting and repeatedly thereafter unless one should outdistance the other.
In this form of zigzag ball the players are all in two ranks, which comprise two competing teams, rather than in groups of two ranks each, as in the preceding game. The players of one team alternate with the players of the opposing team in each of the two ranks. The balls will cross in starting and repeatedly thereafter unless one should outdistance the other.
The players form in two ranks which face each other, with five feet space between. The players in each rank should be from two to five feet apart. Each rank numbers off in twos, the first player of one rank starting with number "one," and the first player of the second rank starting with number "two." The players stand so as to face each other directly, instead of facing a space between the players of the opposite rank, as in the previous form of this game. This will bring a Number One facing a Number Two all the way down the ranks. If desired, the Numbers One may each tie a handkerchief on one arm to designate them, though this help to memory detracts much from the alertness demanded and cultivated by the game as well as from its sport, and may be dispensed with after players have become slightly familiar with the game.
The first player in each rank holds a ball. At a signal this is thrown to the first player of his own party in the opposite rank, who as quickly as possible throws it to the second player of his party in the rank from which he received it, etc.
For instance, the starter who belongs to the Number One team will throw to the first Number One player opposite him; this will be the second player in that rank. He, in turn, will throw to the second Number One player in the rank facing him; this will be the third player in that rank. In other words, the Number One party zigzags the ball between all of its members to the end of the line and back again to the front, and simultaneously the Number Two party does the same thing with another ball. The party wins whose ball first gets back to the front.
After some practice, more than one ball may be used, in which case the last player in each party will have to hold the balls until the last one is received before starting them on their return journey.
(Double Zigzag)
20 to 100 players.
Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom.
Any ball; bean bag.
This form of zigzag ball is a combination of the two previously described.
This form of zigzag ball is a combination of the two previously described.
diagram: Line Zigzag—IIILine Zigzag—III
The players are divided into groups which compete against each other. Each group is divided in turn into two ranks which stand facing each other at a distance of five feet, the individual players being from two to five feet apart.
The players in each rank number off in twos, beginning at the head with different numbers, so that a Number One in each rank will stand opposite a Number Two in the opposite rank.
One or more balls are used and are thrown to alternate players, Numbers One throwing to each other all down the line, and the Numbers Two throwing to each other all theway back. There should be nothing to distinguish the players from one another, each being dependent on his own memory and alertness to know to whom he is to throw the ball and from whom he is to receive it. The particular success of this game lies in having a very considerable number of balls in play at once. In this form the balls do not have to accumulate at the foot of the lines before being returned to the head, as the last Number One player to receive the ball tosses it directly across to the last Number Two player, who begins at once to zigzag it up the line.
The group wins which first succeeds in getting all of its balls back to the head of the line.
20 to 100 players.
Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom.
Hand ball; basket ball; bean bag.
This game is a variation of Zigzag Ball, and is more difficult and interesting for older players. The players are divided into two parties, best distinguished by colors—say Red and Blue. The two parties stand in even ranks alternately about five feet apart; for instance, the Red party will form ranks one and three, and will playtogether, facing each other, while the Blue party will form ranks two and four, which will face each other and play together.
The first player in each party has a ball which is put in play upon a signal by being tossed over the heads of the intervening rank to Number One in the other rank of his party. This player tosses the ball back to Number Two in the first rank, and so the ball is tossed in zigzag form from one player to another in ranks of the same color until it reaches the end of the line, when it is zigzagged back to the starting point in the same way. This is all done over the heads of an intervening rank of the opposite color. Simultaneously the competing team is playing in the same way.
diagram: Zigzag Overhead TossZigzag Overhead Toss
The party wins which first gets the ball back to the starting point.
With a large number of players the number of ranks may be increased beyond four if desired.
This game may be made more interesting and require much more alertness on the part of the players by putting more balls into play. This may be done by the starters starting a second or more balls, tossing down the line as soon as a predecessor has reached the third player. When this is done, the game is won (a) by the party whose last player at the foot of the line is first to receive the last ball; or (b) the last player may accumulate the balls and return them to the front in reverse order, the party winning which first gets its last ball back to the original starter.
This game may be made more interesting and require much more alertness on the part of the players by putting more balls into play. This may be done by the starters starting a second or more balls, tossing down the line as soon as a predecessor has reached the third player. When this is done, the game is won (a) by the party whose last player at the foot of the line is first to receive the last ball; or (b) the last player may accumulate the balls and return them to the front in reverse order, the party winning which first gets its last ball back to the original starter.
This grading of the games for schools indicates the lowest grade in which, on an average, a game is found to be suitable, its use being intended in any succeeding grade also. The so-called "quiet" games are not necessarily noiseless, but are distinguished from the games in which there is running or much moving around. Most of the quiet games are intended for schoolroom use, many of them for small groups that may assemble before the opening of a session.
This grading of the games for schools indicates the lowest grade in which, on an average, a game is found to be suitable, its use being intended in any succeeding grade also. The so-called "quiet" games are not necessarily noiseless, but are distinguished from the games in which there is running or much moving around. Most of the quiet games are intended for schoolroom use, many of them for small groups that may assemble before the opening of a session.
1A. First Year (first half), (6-7 years old).
PlaygroundSchoolroomPAGEPAGEDuck Dance, The264Cat and Mice59Itisket, Itasket268Changing Seats—I63Jack be Nimble114Did you ever see a Lassie?261Kitty White274Good Morning99Looby Loo280Hide the Thimble104Muffin Man282Jack be Nimble114Mulberry Bush283Looby Loo280Railroad Train164Muffin Man282Ringmaster167Mulberry Bush283Round and Round went the Gallant Ship170Railroad Train164Ringmaster167Slap Jack178Slap Jack178Snail292Squirrel and Nut184Squirrel in Trees185Squirrel in Trees185
1B. First Year (second half), (6-7 years old).
PlaygroundSchoolroomPAGEPAGECharley over the Water65Circle Seat Relay71Crossing the Brook74Crossing the Brook74Did you ever see a Lassie?261Do this, Do that75Do this, Do that75Farmer in the Dell265Farmer in the Dell265Huckle, Buckle, Bean Stalk109Jacob and Rachel115Kaleidoscope122Kaleidoscope122Leaves are Green276Lost Child, The130Lost Child, The130Round and Round the Village290Round and Round the Village290Teacher and Class316Teacher and Class316
2A. Second Year (first half), (7-8 years old).
PlaygroundSchoolroomPAGEPAGEAutomobile Race48Bird Catcher, The52Bird Catcher, The52Buying a Lock58Buying a Lock58Hand over Head Bean Bag310Cat and Rat60Hand Ball Drill—I (Elementary)380Hand Ball Drill—I (Elementary)380Moon and Morning Stars133Midnight133Oats, Peas, Beans287Oats, Peas, Beans287Puss in the Circle164Ring Call Ball399Wee Bologna Man204Wee Bologna Man204
2B. Second Year (second half), (7-8 years old).
PlaygroundSchoolroomPAGEPAGEBean Bag and Basket Relay303Bean Bag Board304Bean Bag Board304Center Catch Ball355Circle Ball356Changing Seats63Drop the Handkerchief80Drop the Handkerchief80Flowers and the Wind, The87Frog in the Middle96Fox and Squirrel93Hunting267Let the Feet go Tramp276Letting out the Doves129Letting out the Doves129London Bridge278London Bridge278Simon Says235
3A. Third Year (first half), (8-9 years old).
PlaygroundSchoolroomPAGEPAGEBean Bag Circle Toss305Bean Bag Circle Toss305Bean Bag Ring Throw306Bean Bag Ring Throw306Center Base354Draw a Bucket of Water263Draw a Bucket of Water263Have you seen my Sheep?102Have you seen my Sheep?102Hill Dill105Hopping Relay Race106Hopping Relay Race106I say, "Stoop!"113I say, "Stoop!"113Nuts in May285Line Ball384Puss in a Corner163Puss in a Corner163Single Relay Race175Tommy Tiddler's Ground197Water Sprite203
3B. Third Year (second half), (8-9 years old).