Right Inside.

Field Hockey—The bulley-off. The players are in position and the opposing center forwards are in the act of putting the ball in play.

Field Hockey—A corner. The defending team is lined up on the goal line. The attacking forwards are lined up along the striking circle, ready to return the hit and convert it into a goal.

The right inside is governed by the same dribbling and passing rule as the center. She should be particular to receive the passes of the left wing. Also a lot of the shooting falls to her. Both insides should play close to the center if the center has the ball, or close to the wing if the wing has the ball.

The left inside is a more difficult position to receive passes and to shoot from. It is often wiser for a left inside to allow a ball to go to another forward if she is not in a good position to receive it. As a rule, the best balls for her are from the right.

The wings should be fast players. In particular, the right wing has a splendid opportunity for dribbling and passing. It is mainly the duty of the wings to advance the ball; if, however, the opportunity arises, they should shoot. The wing should be careful never to send the ball too far ahead; never to let a ball go outside the side lines if it is possible to stop it; never dribble farther than the twenty-five-yard line; always send the ball toward the center of the field.

The left wing should be careful to dribble only when she has a clear field. In receiving a ball, the wing, if possible, should stand with her left shoulder toward the goal she is attacking. Three common faults of a leftwing are: Letting the ball go out of bounds on her side too often, thus giving the other side a roll-in; getting into an off-side position; turning on the ball. (See Rules VII and IX.)

All of the halfback positions are extremely hard to play because they require great endurance, a moderate amount of speed, hard hitting, and a fighting spirit. The halfbacks are both attackers and defenders. First, in attacking they feed the forwards by passes to them. They should follow up the forward line closely and when the forwards are inside the circle should be ready to shoot if a chance comes. On the defensive they should stick to the opposing forwards closely. The fullbacks and halfbacks should work together on defense.

The center halfback backs up the bullies in the center of the field and she feeds primarily the center and insides. In defending she guards the opposing center forward and the insides if they are playing close to the center. The half should always watch to see which forwards are free. She should not send the ball to the spot from which it has just come, as that spot is apt to be guarded, but should change the direction.

The right halfback feeds the right wing and the right inside. If both of these are carefully guarded, then she should send ball to center or to the other side of field.In defense she guards the left wing or the left inside—if the inside is near the wing. She also backs up all the bullies on her side of the line.

The left halfback feeds the left wing and the left inside unless they are guarded, then she changes the direction of the ball. The left half should send very careful, well-placed balls to her wing and inside, balls that slant a little bit, not straight ahead. As the right wing is apt to dribble, the left half should be very quick and should be careful to avoid running in on the left. (Rule VIII.)

The halfbacks should remember: Never to give up; if your opponent gets away, run after her and stop her; never hit through the forward line, always hit the ball to somebody; never run out of position to tackle an opponent. Each half should stick closely to the girl she is guarding. Never interfere with the work of the fullback or the goal keeper.

The fullbacks are primarily defensive players although they have opportunities for long shots to the forwards. The fullbacks and the halfbacks should never mix up, by guarding the same girl. The fullbacks stay near their own goal. If the right half is guarding the left wing and the center half the center forward, then the left inside remains for the right fullback to guard. When one fullback is up the field, that is, near the fifty-yard line (she must never go beyond the fifty-yard line), the other fullback should be back toward the goal. The players on thedefense should never be bunched in front of the goal, and in hitting the ball away from the goal, they should hit out toward the side lines—never across the center. In a corner or a bully the fullbacks should guard the goal closely.

The goal keeper should be very cool—not get rattled if a goal is made by the opposing side. It is well for the goal keeper to watch the eyes of the opposing forward; often in that way she can tell where the forward is going to shoot. The goal keeper should never be drawn away from her goal line. She should stand about a foot in front, but no farther away.Above all, the goal keeper should have courage; she should not step back from any ball, afraid to stop it.

Not only should she rely on her stick, but she should remember that she may kick and stop the ball with her body. The main object is to keep the ball out of the goal and get it in less dangerous territory. This often requires quick, clear thinking on the part of the goal keeper. The fullbacks should never leave the goal keeper alone and unprotected; nor should they stand so close to her, nor so directly in front of her, that they impede her playing or obstruct her view of the play.The goal keeper must never lose sight of the ball.

There are a few general directions that might be given for playing. Keep your own position—don’t run out of your place to interfere in someone else’s. Use your head—flighty playing merely ends in wildness and nothing accomplished. Save your strength—do not use it up in thefirst mad rushes and terrific hits. It is the consistent, steady, dependable player who wins the game.

A great deal of time is wasted in the roll-in, that is, when the ball is put in play after going over the side line. The team taking the roll-in should have signals, that is, an understanding as to the line-up. The halfback generally takes the roll-in unless the point where roll-in occurs is near the goal line being defended, then the roll-in is taken by the fullback. The ball should be sent to the person best prepared to receive it the wing if she is free or the inside or halfback; sometimes it even may be rolled back toward the fullback.

The opponents never leave any player unguarded. As soon as the roll-in is called, it should be taken quickly.

Just as quickness is an advantage in taking the roll-in so it is in the free hit. The halfback in whose territory the foul occurred should take the free hit quickly, before her teammates may be guarded. Every delay means that the opponents have an opportunity to guard more closely. In taking the free hit, be careful to hit to an unguarded player. Make the free hit count.

In the corner play the hit should be carefully taken by the halfback, or sometimes it is taken by the wing. The attackers line up around the edge of the striking circle ready to stop the ball and shoot for the goal; the defenders are behind the line ready to rush out and get the ball away from dangerous territory. The player taking the free hit should be careful that the ball goes within the circle; that it is hit hard and cleanly—never send a ball that hops; that the ball is sent to a particular player,preferably the center forward or either of the insides. It is not often advisable for a wing to stop a ball hit in from the corner hit.

DIAGRAM OF FIELD WITH NECESSARY MARKINGS AND SHOWING THE PROPER LINE-UP OF TEAMS AT START OF GAME.

To decide a championship or the winner of a hockey tournament, it is advisable to play three games, the winner of two being the winner of the series. If one team wins the first two games it is unnecessary to play the third; if there are more than two teams contesting, it is advisable to have preliminary rounds, the winners meeting the winners, etc.

The dimensions of the field are: maximum length, 100 yards; minimum, 85 yards; maximum breadth, 60 yards; minimum, 55 yards. The field of play is marked by boundary lines; the end are “goal lines,” and the side, “side lines.” Flag posts, four feet in height, one yard outside the field of play, are placed at each of the four corners and at each end of the twenty-five-yard lines.

There are three lines across the field, i. e., parallel to the end lines, running from side line to side line—one in the center of field, the fifty-yard line; one at each end of the field, each twenty-five yards from the goal line.

Thegoalsare marked by upright posts, equidistant from the corners of the goal lines, four yards apart, connectedby a cross-bar seven feet from the ground. The space between the posts is known as the goal area. The maximum width of the posts and the cross-bars is two inches; the maximum depth, three inches. There is a goal at each end of the field.

In front of each goal is a striking circle marked by the following lines: A line parallel to goal line, fifteen yards distant from, directly in front of the goal area, four yards in length. The ends of this line are joined to the goal line by a quarter circle fifteen yards in diameter measured from the nearest goal post.

A line parallel to the side line, five yards distant, is drawn the length of the field. This is called the alley.

It is important that the lines be distinctly marked in white. If there are nets behind the goal to catch balls, it aids the umpire in determining if a goal is scored. Goal posts and bar may be painted white. The ball is a leather cricket ball painted white.

Bloomers and jumper are the most comfortable form of dress. If a skirt is worn it must be at least eight inches from the ground. Stopping the ball with the clothing is not good hockey.Light shoeswith rubber soles, fitted for running, should be worn by the forwards and halves. Heavier shoes are worn by the fullbacks. The feet of the player ought to be well protected, inorder that she may stop the ball with her feet. All players should wearshin-guards; the forwards and halves light ones, the fullbacks heavier. The goal keeper will find that the shin-guards used in cricket are not too heavy.

If a hatis worn, it should be without pins and must have a soft brim.

Many players prefer wearingglovesin order to protect their hands.

Thestickshould be a regulation stick, curved on one side, flat on the other. No stick must weigh more than 28 ounces.

Time.—The time of halves (usually 35 minutes) with the intermission should be determined by the captains.

Score.—Each goal made counts one point. Highest number of goals at end of game wins. There is no other score except by goals.

Officials.—There is an umpire, who makes all decisions of goals, fouls and disputes. She is responsible for the good conduct of the game. There may be an umpire for each half of the field. Also a scorer, a timekeeper and two linesmen, who call the ball out of bounds and give decisions when appealed to.

Each team has eleven players; for each side there is acaptain, who tosses for choice of goal, protests to the umpire, governs the team on the field. They must notify the referee of any change of line-up.

(a) The Bully is the method of putting the ball in play. A bully is played by two players, one from each team, who stand squarely opposite each other (each facing a side line), each with her right side toward her own goal. The ball is placed between them, each player having a foot on either side of the ball. Both first touch the ground on their right side of the ball, then they touch sticks. This is done alternately for three times, then either may touch the ball. After the ball is touched by either or both of the two players bullying it may be played by anyone.

(b) The game is started at the beginning of the first and second halves by a bully-off on the center line.

(d) The teams line up in a bully on the side nearest their goal line and never step over the line of the ball, i. e., an imaginary line, if ball is not on center or twenty-five-yard line drawn across field. This is known as standing behind the ball.

(e) After time-out is called, the ball is put in play again by bully on the spot where time-out is taken.

(f) If a foul is called on both teams, a bully is taken on the spot where the foul occurred.

(g) If any rules of bully are not observed, bully is taken over again.

(h)Penalty-Bully.—A penalty-bully can only occur when a defender inside the circle deliberately breaks arule, thereby directly preventing a goal from being scored. The bully is played on the spot where foul occurred by goal keeper and a chosen player from the other team. All other players stand beyond the nearest twenty-five-yard line until the bully is completed. The bully is only completed when: First, a goal is scored; second, the ball is sent out of bounds by an attacker—if sent out by defender, penalty-bully is repeated; third, the ball is sent out of striking circle. In either of the first two cases the ball is put in play by a twenty-five-yard bully in the center of the nearest twenty-five-yard line. Any foul (except Rule I,a) by offender counts penalty goal or one point for opponents; any foul by attacker (except Rule I,a) the defender is given a free hit. The goal keeper in a penalty-bully may play only with the stick; she may not kick or stop ball with hands. If time is called, bully must first be completed.

(a) To score a goal the ball must have been hit by or have touched the stick of an attacker within the striking circle.

(b) The ball must pass entirely over the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross-bar.

(c) If a ball, after touching the stick of an attacker within the circle, glances off the stick or person of a defender, it is a goal.

(d) If a ball hit fairly glances off a goal post across the goal line, it is a goal.

(e) The umpire must judge fairness of goal.

(a) The stick must never be raised above the shoulder in any part of the stroke while hitting the ball, nor may it be carried over shoulder. When this rule is broken within the striking circle by a defender, the penalty is a penalty-corner; if deliberately broken, it is a penalty-bully.

(b) The flat side, never the rounded, should be used in striking the ball.

(c) A player should never catch the curved part of her stick in that of her opponent’s, thereby hindering her opponent’s play. This is hooking.

(d) A player should never strike or hit her opponent’s stick.

(e) A player should never lift her opponent’s stick from the ground or in any such manner mar her stroke.

(f) A player should never trip an opponent with stick.

(g) No player without a stick may take part in play.

(h) For any infringement of rules, a free hit to opposing side where foul occurred is granted, unless referee deems the foul rough, thus liable to disqualification.

(a) When a team is accorded a free hit by an umpire, through a foul by opponents, the captain of the team shall designate the player (generally a halfback or fullback) who is to take the hit, and no other player may be nearer the player taking the hit than five yards. Theball must be hit squarely, not scooped. The free hit is taken again if this rule is not complied with.

(b) The player who has taken the free hit may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

(d) If the player misses the ball entirely upon taking the free hit, she may hit it again.

(e) If there is any infringement of the rule, the free hit is given to the other side except when the ball is scooped by the defender inside the circle, when the penalty is a penalty-corner.

(a) When the ball is sent over the side lines it shall be rolled in (by hand) by one of the team opposing the player who last touched it. In rolling in, the player taking the roll-in must stand—feet and stick—outside the side line at the point where ball went out. No player may stand inside the alley (or five-yard line) next to the side line over which it went out. The ball must berolled, not thrown or bounced. It may be rolled in any direction, provided it touches within the five-yard space. The player who has taken the roll-in may not touch the ball until it has been touched by another player. The other players may step in the alley as soon as ball touches.

(b) First, if the ball is sent behind the goal line by an attacker; second, if a ball is unintentionally sent behindgoal line by a defender more than twenty-five yards away from her goal line, it is a twenty-five-yard bully. The ball is placed on the twenty-five-yard line, exactly opposite the spot where it crossed the goal line.

(c) If a ball is unintentionally hit across the goal line by a defender or glances off her stick over the goal line, it is a corner. In a corner, the attackers line up around the outer edge of the striking circle—feet and sticks—behind the line, with one of their team hitting the ball to them from the corner of the field (on the side or back line not more than three yards away from the corner) on the side of the goal line where ball went out. The defenders must stand—feet and sticks—behind their goal line at least five yards away from the player taking the corner hit. The defenders may rush out as soon as the ball is hit. Before the attackers may hit the ball toward the goal, the ball must be stopped—not necessarily dead. The player taking the corner hit may not hit the ball again until touched by another. (Penalty, free hit for opposing side.) If an attacker shoots for goal before ball has been stopped, it is a free hit for opposite side. If the player taking the corner hit misses it entirely on the first stroke, she may hit it again.

(d) If a ball is deliberately hit over goal line by a defender, it is a penalty-corner. Both teams line up as in an ordinary corner. The hit is taken, however, from a point on the goal line at least ten yards from the nearest goal post and no opposing player may be nearer than five yards. Ball must be stopped before replayed by attacker teammate unless it has been touched by defender.

(a) The ball may not be so hit that it is lofted or raised intentionally above the shoulder.

(b) The ball may be “scooped” so that it may be raised moderately in air.

(a) In the opponents’ territory, no player may receive a ball from one of her own team standing farther from the goal than she, the receiver, unless there are at least three of her opponents between her and the goal. Violation of this rule is called offside.

(b) A player is not penalized for offside if she does not touch the ball; if it was touched last by an opponent; if one of her own team nearer the opponents’ goal than she hits the ball; if she is in her own half of the territory.

No player shall run in on the left side of her opponent in order to gain possession of the ball so that any part of her person or stick touches any part of the person or the stick of the opponent. Penalty is free hit for opposing side.

No player having possession of the ball shall interpose her person between the ball and an opponent, nor shallshe turn around the ball in order to obtain a more favorable position for her stroke. Penalty is free hit.

The ball may be caught or stopped by the hands, but must be immediately dropped perpendicularly to the ground so that no advance is made nor direction changed. It may not be picked up, carried or thrown. There shall be no shoving, pushing, or holding. If the ball stopped by goal keeper rebounds from her hand it is not a foul. Penalty is free hit.

No player may kick the ballexcept the goal keeper within her own striking circle. The foot may be used to stop the ball, but must be withdrawn and not used to block opponent’s stroke at the ball. Penalty is a free hit.

There should be no charging (rushing or running into), shinning, tripping, personal handling, impeding progress, or hitting with stick. No player may obstruct, i. e., prevent opponent from reaching the ball or prevent opponent from attacking teammate. Penalty is free hit or disqualification if umpire decides the play is rough.

Time-out may be called by the umpire at the request of either captain only in case of injury or accident toclothing or stick. Time-out should be called by umpire in case of loss of ball or dispute in regard to decision.

Field Hockey—1, A scrimmage for possession of the ball. 2, Getting the ball out of scrimmage. 3, Passing the ball to a teammate and away from an opponent. 4, A goal! 5, A shot. The attack has “run” the ball down the field to the striking circle—once inside the shot will be gotten off.

Basket Ball—1, The referee tosses the ball up between the opposing centers to put it in play. 2, A free trial for goal. A foul has been made and the penalized team must stand and see their opponents try for a single point.

The umpire, or umpires, have control of the game, and are responsible for it. They must see that there is no rough play, and that the game is played according to rules. The umpires judge goals, roll-ins, bullies, corners. They also have the power to punish players for intentionally delaying the game. The ball is in play until umpire’s whistle blows.

Basket ball needs no introduction. It is probably the most popular game played by girls. Through the work of the Executive Committee on Basket Ball Rules, headed by Mrs. Senda Berenson Abbott, chairman, the playing rules and the conditions under which the game may best be played have been thoroughly studied and set forth in the Spalding Official Basket Ball Guide for Women, No. 7A.

The game may be played either outdoors or indoors, depending upon conditions. When the circumstances permit it is always desirable to play out of doors. The writer is a firm believer in outdoor exercise wherever and whenever possible, but there is a decided need for a wholesome, interesting game for indoors during the long winter months. Basket ball undoubtedly fills this need.

The game is played by two teams consisting of either five, six, seven, or nine players each. If the teams play with five on a side, there are two forwards, a center and two guards each; if with six on a side, there are two centers each; if with seven, three centers; if with nine, three forwards, three centers and three guards.

The court (floor or field) is divided into three equal parts. The lines dividing the court are parallel to the end lines. They are known as field lines. The reason the court is thus divided is to define the space in which the various players may operate. Thus each set of players can operate only on their third of the court, so that the line game makes a minimum physical demandupon the player. That is, the forwards of Team A and the guards of Team B may run only in the third of the floor before the former’s basket; the centers of both teams in the space in middle, and the guards of Team A and the forwards of Team B in the third of the floor before the latter’s basket.

The three general positions call for three different kinds of skill. The forwards should possess a good eye, should have the knack of handling the ball well and should have agility and speed. The center should have height, ability to get possession of the ball and the knack of feeding well, that is, passing the ball to her forwards. The center rarely shoots for the basket in the line game. The guards, as their name implies, must prevent the opposing forwards from shooting a goal, so must be quick, active and able to jump well.

The game begins with each team in position. The referee puts the ball in play by tossing it up between the centers, who jump and bat it (they must not catch it). When once in play the ball must be passed from one player to another—not handled, nor rolled, nor kicked. Nor may any player carry it, but she may bounce it once, taking not more than two steps during the bounce. Thus the game is essentially one of team play, which calls for fast, clever, clean co-operation in playing. The play continues until a score is made, or a player fouls, or the ball goes out of bounds. A score is made when a player shoots the ball into the basket from the field, which counts two points for the score of her team. A foul is made when a player of one side transgresses a rule ofthe game—running with the ball, holding the ball more than three seconds, touching over the line with some part of person, guarding too closely, etc. When a player fouls, a free throw from a mark fifteen feet from and directly in front of the basket is allowed to a forward of the opposing side. When the ball passes through the basket, rim and net, one point is added to the score of the team.

When the ball goes over the boundary lines, the game is stopped and the ball is given to the nearest opponent of the girl who touched it last. She then passes the ball to one of her teammates, thus starting play again.

The winning of the game is determined by the scoring of the most points (both field goals and free throws) in a given time—usually fifteen-minute halves with a ten-minute intermission. Baskets are exchanged at the end of the first half.

From my own experience and observation I find the average player is weak in passing. One of the faults is inaccuracy. Every pass should count; but if the pass is wild, thrownata teammate rather thantoone, much strength and time is wasted. Throw directly to an unguarded player, or if she signals to send the pass to a certain spot, send the pass there. Think carefully what results come from a careless, inaccurate pass. It may end in fumbling, or the ball out of bounds, or the ball obtained by opponent, waste of time, delaying the game.

The passing is apt to be slow. Get the ball out of your hands as quickly as possible. To do this, every player must know the relative positions of all her teammates. She must decide the moment the ball touches her handsto whom she is going to pass, then pass quickly and carefully. By quickly I do not mean hurriedly; I mean the player should not hold the ball an undue length of time deciding what to do with it.

Many players have but one way of throwing the ball, always using the same pass. Vary your passing according to the need. If a high ball with a drop to it can be used, use it when your teammate is in a good position to receive. But do not use this style of pass exclusively. Try a short, swift pass. If when you are guarded for one pass, quickly change to another, such as, from an overhead pass—both arms holding ball high over head—to a low side pass—the arm held out toward the side, the palm of hand around the ball, which rests on the flexed hand and wrist. It takes a great deal of practice and team work to make the passing perfect, but remember always be wide awake and alert, ready to receive the ball.

Needless to say, the team work is the main factor. It is the way the team plays, not the way one player stars, that counts.

Each of the different players has a different duty to perform. The forwards have to shoot both field and foul goals. In shooting baskets, it is of prime importance to have some chosen point on basket or back board to aim at. Of course, there are many forwards who shoot at random; goals are made, but many more are missed. Once this spot for the aim is made definite—through much practice—the aim becomes surer.

Many a game has been lost through the inability to shoot foul goals. The feet should toe the 15-foot line,slightly apart, fixed firmly on the ground. The ball is held in both hands, palms flat on opposite sides of the ball; the lace is turned toward the basket. The knees are bent; the ball is carried forward and down, arms straight. Simultaneously the knees are straightened, the arms are carried forward and up, the ball leaves the hands. Just as the ball leaves the hands an “English” is put on it. That is, the ball is twirled as it leaves the hands. The advantage of the “English” lies in the fact that it serves to make the ball shoot through the basket instead of bounding out, as is often the case when it is tossed up a little off the true and without the spin.

Good passing is necessary for the forwards. The forward should remember never to shoot unless she is in a favorable position; one forward should always stick close to the basket. Always try to keep free; pass to your opponent whenever possible; never keep the ball selfishly in order to gain a shot for yourself.

The center should realize the importance of this position. Naturally the forwards cannot score goals unless the ball is sent to them. Thus, the center should be alert and quick, free to receive the pass from the guards and quick to send a good pass to her forwards, who should be dodging their guards, trying to get in a favorable position. Often the center can well make use of the bounce and step to get away from the opposing center.

The guard has to remember that every time the forward gets the ball, if she is good, she has a chance to get it in the basket. Thus, it should be the main object of the guard to get the ball away from her end of the field.Every guard should try to get the ball and send it out of dangerous territory. Then she should stick closely to her forward, guarding her as closely as the rules allow.

One fault of the guards is over-guarding. This is generally done through over-anxiety. The guards should watch carefully so as not to foul.

Jumper or middy blouse, bloomers and rubber-soled shoes make up the accepted costume.

Above all, the element of good sportsmanship and fair play should enter into every game, no matter how strenuous the playing, and the slogan of the whole team should be, “Put the ball in the basket.”

An umpire who is competent and fair should have entire jurisdiction over the game. The game should be conducted in an orderly fashion, according to the rules.

For a series or tournament, a set number of games should be played, such as two out of three; the winner is then the champion. If more than two teams play, the winners should play the winners, etc. Let me impress the importance of set rules agreed to and known thoroughly by every player; this saves much dispute and sometimes bitter feeling.

Leagues of basket ball teams, such as are to be found in some cities, etc., organized for the purpose of clean sport and good fellowship, have been extremely successful. Each team may play a set number of games with every other team, the winner of the most games being the champion of the league.

Gymnastics, or work in a gymnasium, indoors or out, is recognized the world over for its utility. The term gymnastics usually applies to a group or class drilled by an instructor or coach. Gymnastic exercises may be, however, adapted to fit an individual, prescribed for her by a competent authority (which may be herself).

The very great and growing popularity of gymnastic exercise is due to several facts. First of all, there is a general awakening to the need for organized exercise at most schools and colleges and within the ranks of many social organizations. Aside from walking, gymnastic exercises, as they have been developed by the Swedes and the Germans, are possibly the most obvious form of beneficial physical exercise. Then this form of physical training has the very decided advantage of being susceptible to the widest kind of application. It may be graded so as to be beneficial to various groups of individuals of varying physical development. It may be given in the most scientific quantities—more so than any other form of exercise save walking. It may be used as a drilling force to instill discipline—against fire, for instance—in great groups of persons, for ability and sufficient knowledge in handling one’s body quickly and efficiently in a crowd under abnormal conditions is quite an important and necessary accomplishment. In fact, everyone, no matter at what age, could do well by her or his body to indulge in some form of calisthenics or gymnastic exercise.

There are two main divisions of gymnastics—floor work and apparatus work.

The floor work consists mainly of tactics, calisthenics, drills with hand apparatus, such as wands, dumb bells, Indian clubs, etc., dancing and posturing exercises.

The tactics consist mainly of marching by ones, twos, threes, fours, etc., of flank marching, and of circle marching. Form in this counts for a great deal together with quick execution of commands and memory of the proper method by which the figure is to be executed. Perfect form in marching consists of the head erect, the eyes straight ahead, the shoulders back, the arms down straight at the sides, the palms of the hands turned toward the body, the fingers close together; the toes should be pointed and reach for the floor, so that the muscles of the leg and the thigh can feel the effort made. Also the marchers should observe carefully the space between each one and the straightness or regularity of the line. Watch the person ahead of you and beside you. This keeps the marching from being ragged.

In the calisthenics and drills—Indian clubs excepted—the most used exercises are: the arm stretching or raising upward, downward, sideward, forward; the bending of the head, trunk, arms, or legs; the bending of the knees; the stretching of the legs; the lunges sideward and forward; the raising and sinking on the toes. These are the fundamental exercises and may be combined to form the different drills. To attain perfect form in these, it is best to watch a competent gymnast; after so doing it is possible, by careful imitation, to attain good formyourself. These exercises may easily be practised in any sufficient space, in front of a mirror when possible. It is well to remember that form and grace are very important factors. Always keep in mind that the lines of the body should be kept symmetrical; that a lot of snap in executing the exercises is a help.

The Indian club drills consist of full arm swings, circles, dips, etc. These can best be taught by a teacher. Form is the all-important factor here also.

Dancing is divided into three separate groups: æsthetic, social, and folk dancing. The æsthetic develops the natural grace of the body; social dancing does this, too, but not to such a great extent. There are many girls who feel ungainly and unnatural in the æsthetic and social dances. For these are the folk dances. These dances are a natural expression of joy and good humor. The girl who is most unsuited to other types of dancing may enjoy and ultimately become very efficient in folk dancing.

Posturing may be added here. This is practising and attaining the correct poise and positions of the body.

Apparatus work consists of exercises on the following: stall bar, horizontal bar, parallel bar, trapeze, swinging rings, traveling rings, ropes, rope ladder, horizontal ladder, side horse, buck, etc.

The secret of success in apparatus work lies in the knowledge of muscular control and of the balance of the body. By muscular control, I mean the power to exert the proper amount of strength at the exact moment; by balance, I mean adapting the weight of the body tothe strength. Apparatus work should be undertaken carefully—if possible, under the supervision of an instructor; mats should always be placed to break any fall. Too continued exercises tire even the best gymnast; sometimes the girl does not realize she is tired. Between exercises give yourself plenty of rest and relax your muscles.

As the subject is so extensive and so varied I can only mention a few exercises. The most popular pieces of apparatus seem to be the side horse, the parallel bars, and the swinging rings.

The Side Horse.—The most elementary exercises on the horse are the rests. The girl grasps the pommels of the horse and jumps to a straight-arm position; the body is straight, weight on the arms. Or she may jump to a kneeling position between the pommels; or she may jump to her toes. There are different ways of ending these exercises, either jumping back to the first position or jumping to the other side of horse. Another exercise is to run, grasp the pommels with both hands, arms straight, draw the legs up and shoot them between the pommels, landing on opposite side of the horse. The landing may be straight or by retaining a grip with one hand on the pommel, you can turn either to the left or the right, according to the hand on pommel.

Next comes the vaults. In vaulting you must remember always to jump from both feet from the center of the springboard. The best form in vaulting is gotten by keeping the arms as straight as possible; the body should be straight with toes pointing and together, thelegs thrown high in the air. The different kinds of vaults which may be taken on either side are: The front vault; the face and front of the body are turned above the top of the horse, the landing is made facing the side. The flank or side vault; the side of the body is above the horse, the landing is made between the pommels with the back toward the horse. The back vault; the back of body is over the horse, the landing is the same as the side vault. The wolf vault; for the right side, the left leg passes through pommels, the right leg passes over the right pommel; as the right leg passes over the pommel, the right hand is taken away so that leg may pass; the hold is kept by the left hand. Same for left side, except leg and hand used are the left instead of the right.

Besides the vaults there are cuts, circles, dives, and inversions, which may be acquired by practice.

Parallel Bars.—As on the horse, the most elementary are the rest positions. Jumps to straight arm position at sides or ends accompanied by lifting of arms and legs, etc. It is important that every gymnast know how to swing and vault well on the bars. For the swing, the hands grasp the bars directly opposite each other. You then jump to a straight-arm position. To start to swing, the heels are drawn back, the legs brought forward and upward with free movement from the hips. The head should be held up, trunk kept erect, legs straight, toes pointed and together. For the front vault, the front of body faces the bar; for the back vault, the back of the body is over the bar.

On both the horse and the parallel bars are a multitudeof cuts and circles combined with each other and with vaults.

Flying Rings.—The proper way to swing on the rings is to have the rings at such a height so that the arms are straight and the feet touch the ground comfortably. Then step backward, grasping the rings, one in each hand, until the tips of the toes just touch the ground; run forward, swing the legs forward and upward from the hips. As the body swings backward, touch the floor with both feet as if stepping; do the same on the forward swing. The legs in swinging should be kept straight both forward and backward, toes together. Another popular exercise on the rings is the inversion, that is, hanging head down, feet in air, the body straight.

There are many exercises on these three pieces of apparatus together with those on the other apparatus, for which there is not room in this book.

An interesting event at many gymnasiums is a meet or exhibition—in case of school, college, or club, generally the results of the year’s work. If these events are competitive or non-competitive, it is, for the most part, the most carefully practised work by the most proficient girls.

If these events are judged, the judges, as a rule, have a certain mark, such as 10, for each event. If the performance of the event is perfect, then the number won for that event is 10; if nearly perfect, then 9 is given, etc. The judges consider entrance; general appearance, such as neatness, regularity of order, etc.; manner ofexecuting the exercise, such as form, position, memory, rhythm, etc.; the finish or exit. All of these factors are taken into account by the judges in scoring.

Whether for individual or group prizes, it is advisable to have competent judges who have a decided system of marking. Usually there are three judges, each marking the score independently of the others. Comparisons are made at the end of each event. The scores of all judges for each performer are added together and divided by three (or as many times as there are judges) and the result is the score for the performer.

Everybody knows that a certain amount of exercise is beneficial to all persons physically able to indulge. But there are still many protests against more active competitive exercise. In particular, track and field athletics for girls and women have been criticised. Of course, it is only reasonable to admit that for a girl physically unfit, over-indulgence in track work is a mistake. But in these days when the majority of schools and colleges have competent teachers for their athletic work, and when the girls are allowed to participate in events only after a thorough medical examination, the danger from track work seems to be rapidly diminishing.

Tennis, basket ball and battle ball were the first competitive sports to be widely participated in by the colleges. Miss Harriet Ballintine, Director of Physical Culture at Vassar College, thus tells of the beginning of track and field sports for women in her book, “The History of Physical Training at Vassar College”: “Following basket and battle ball a demand was made for other out-of-door activities. The students became interested in hurdling, running and jumping, etc. They organized an athletic association and in November, 1895, the first field day was held. This was the beginning of track and field sports for women. Before this time there was no record of girls taking part in such competitive events. In 1896 at the Harvard Summer School a course in athletic training was opened to women. This first class was composedprincipally of teachers from schools and colleges whose students had asked for instruction in athletics. After Vassar’s first field day many schools and colleges became interested in such contests. Previous to 1896 a course in athletics had been offered to women at the Chautauqua Summer School, but as there was no demand for it, the Harvard Summer School was, therefore, the first school to give systematic instruction to girls in track and field sports. This first class in athletics for women was in charge of Mr. James Lathrop, for many years athletic trainer at Harvard and instructor in the Theory and Practice of Athletics at the Summer School. He ordered for Miss Eva G. May, then an instructor in the gymnasium at Vassar, the first pair of spiked running shoes ever made for a woman. The Vassar College Athletic Association provided these running shoes for every student who entered field day.”

One of the main difficulties in track work at the present time is that there is no set standard for coaches and participants to use. A very creditable attempt has been made by Dr. Harry E. Stewart, Physical Director of the New Haven Normal School of Gymnastics, to collect the records made by girls and women. (See Spalding’s Athletic Almanac, published annually.) However, it is not the exceptional girl who is of the record-breaking ability that should be considered entirely. Track work should be first regarded from the point of view of exercise. The equipment for track work should be supervised carefully. The clothing worn should be the lightest and the least harmful to the limbs. Light shirt waist or middy blouse,bloomers, spiked or rubber-soled shoes should be adopted. The track itself should be level and smooth, the jumping pits soft so that there is no jar, and the throwing events should have plenty of room.

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