Chapter 25

This play is continued until Number One is back in his original position. The rank which first gets the bag around to Number One after he returns to his original position wins the game. Number One should hold the bag up at arm's length as soon as he gets it as a signal that his rank has completed its play. As this feature adds much to the facility with which an umpire may judge of the winning rank, it may well be a required part of the play, the rank winning whose Number One is first to raise aloft his bag.

It adds much to the interest of the game to have a general umpire and scorekeeper who shall decide which is the winning line, and post the score where the players may see it.

PASS AND TOSS RELAY (DOUBLE LINE)

_16 to 60 players._

_Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._

_Bean bags; oat sacks._

The players are divided into two equal groups which compete against each other. Each group is divided into two lines or ranks which stand facing each other. There should be from ten to twenty feet of space between the two ranks.

The game consists of passing a bean bag up one of these lines to the end, when the last player runs across to the opposite line, tossing the bag as he goes to the end man in that line, who catches it and passes it down the line. The same play is performed at the other end, the last player running across to the opposite line, tossing the bag as he goes to the last player there. The lines move up or down one place each time a player runs across to the opposite rank. The game in detail will be as follows:--

Number One has a bag, and at a signal passes it down the line to Number Eight, who runs across toward Number Nine, tossing the bag to Number Nine as he does so. It must be tossed before he has gone halfway across the space between. Number Nine immediately passes the bag to Number Ten, and so on up the line to the last player, Number Sixteen. The moment that he receives the bag, he runs across toward Number One in the opposite rank, making a running toss as he does so. At the same time the entire line from Nine to Fifteen moves up one place to make room for Number Eight, who should take his place at the foot of the line next to Number Nine. As soon as Number One receives the bag, he passes it down the line to his neighbor, Number Two, and so on till it reaches the end of the line, which at the same time should be moving down one place to make room for Number Sixteen, who should take his place at the head of the line next beyond Number One.

This play is repeated until Number One reaches his original position again, and the bag is passed to him there. Immediately on receiving it, he should lift it high, as a signal that the play is completed in his group. The group wins whose first player is first to do this.

The game may be made a little more definite by Number One having some distinguishing mark, as a handkerchief, tied on his arm.

When players have some proficiency in the game, as prescribed, they may play with two bags instead of one, keeping both in play at once. In this form of the game the diagonal opposites start each a bag at the same time, that is, Number One and Number Nine. The game becomes thus just twice as rapid. The team wins whose Numbers One and Nine first succeed in both returning to their original positions, where they should hold the bags aloft.

A score should be kept, each team scoring two points for winning a game and one point for every time that its opponents' bags touch the floor, either through poor throwing or bad catching.

The writer is indebted to Mr. Chesley's _Indoor and Outdoor Gymnastic Games_ for several points of description or of play for this game. Mr. Chesley has found it a very interesting gymnasium game, with possibilities for much sport and skill.

TARGET TOSS

_10 to 60 players._

_Playground; seashore; gymnasium; schoolroom._

_Bean bags; stones; shells._

Three concentric circles should be drawn on the ground or floor, after the idea of a target. Their size will depend somewhat on the skill of the players, but for the youngest players the inner circle should be not more than two feet in diameter and the outer circle six feet in diameter. For those more skilled, smaller circles may be used. From ten to thirty feet from the outer rim of the largest circle a straight line is drawn on the ground, to serve as a throwing line. Where there is a small number of players, all may use one target. Where there is a large number, several targets should be drawn and the players divided into as many groups. Each group has three bean bags, or if out of doors, small blocks of wood, stones, or shells may be used. Each player throws in turn, throwing each of the three bags or other objects at each turn. The thrower stands with his toe on the throwing line and tosses a bag toward the target. If the bag stops within the center circle, it scores fifteen points; if between the center circle and the next larger one, it scores ten points; and if between the middle circle and the largest or outer one, it scores five points. For very little children a bag that lands on a line may score for the larger circle which it touches. For more expert players, a bag landing on a line does not score at all. The player wins who has the highest score in five rounds of the game.

TEACHER AND CLASS

_5 to 60 players._

_Playground; gymnasium; class room._

_Bean bags; balls._

This game may be played with either bean bags or balls, and is one of the simplest and earliest tossing games, being generally used when pupils are first acquiring skill in handling a ball. With very rapid play and greater distance between the "teacher" and the "class," it may become very interesting, however, for older players.

One player is chosen for the "teacher." The others stand in a line side by side, facing her, at an interval of from five to twenty feet. Where there are many players, there should be several groups of this kind, with a distinct interval between groups to avoid mistakes or confusion. It is desirable to have from six to ten players for each "teacher."

The teacher starts the game by tossing the ball to each pupil in turn, and it is immediately tossed back to her. Each pupil missing goes to the foot of the line. If the teacher misses, the player at the head of the line takes her place, the teacher going to the foot. The action should be as rapid as possible.

VAULTING RELAY

_10 to 60 players._

_Schoolroom._

_Bean Bags._

The players stand in line in the aisles between the desks, all facing to the right or left (facing open windows preferred). The first player at the front of each line will hold a bean bag in his right hand, if facing left, or in his left hand, if facing right. At the command "Start!" the bean bag must be passed toward the rear to each player, in turn, until the player at the end of the line receives it. Each player, after passing the bean bag, must place one hand on his desk and the other on the back of his chair, jump over his chair, turn, jump back again, and take his position in the aisle by the next seat, moving back one seat toward the rear of the line each time the bean bag has been passed, and so on until he returns to his place in line. The player receiving the bean bag at the end of the line must run to the head of the line, as shown in the diagram, and pass the bag to the next player. This continues until each player returns to his place in line. The line wins whose original leader first gets back to his own place.

This game was originated by Mr. James J. Jardine, of New York City, and received honorable mention in a competition for schoolroom games conducted by the Girls' Branch of the Public Schools Athletic League of New York City in 1906. It is here published by the kind permission of the author, and of the Girls' Branch, and of Messrs. A. G. Spalding & Brothers, publishers of the handbook in which the game first appeared.

BALL GAMES SUITABLE FOR BEAN BAGS

All run Arch Ball Ball Chase Ball Puss Ball Tag Call Ball Center Catch Ball Circle Ball Club Bowls Center Club Bowls Circle Club Bowls Line Club Bowls (Single) Line Club Bowls (Double) Corner Spry Dead Ball Dodge Ball Home Run Line Ball Over and Under Relay Overtake Pig in a Hole Ring Call Ball Roley Poley Round Ball Russian Hole Ball Schoolroom Dodge Ball Spud Stride Ball Toss Ball Tree Ball Zigzag Games Circle Zigzag Line Zigzag I, II, III Zigzag Overhead Toss

BALL GAMES

BALL GAMES

ALL RUN

_10 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Hand ball; bean bag._

This game is played with a hand ball or basket ball and is a gymnasium adaptation of the wall ball game known as "Burley Whush" or "Ball Stand."

A square is drawn on the ground or floor. All of the players gather within this, including one who holds the ball. The ball man throws the ball in the air, whereupon all of the other players run in any direction as far as they can. The thrower remains on his place, catches the ball, and as he does so cries "Hold!" Upon hearing this, all of the others must instantly stop running. The thrower then aims his ball at one of these other players, and if he succeeds in hitting him, the player hit must change places with the thrower. Should he miss, all of the players return to the square and the same thrower takes another trial. Should he miss hitting a player a second time, he must be "court-martialed," _i.e._ stand twenty feet from the square with his back turned to the players congregated there, who pelt him with their balls, each one having one throw.

ARCH BALL

_10 to 100 players._

_Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._

_Basket ball; bean bag; oat sack; any substitute._

This game is very similar to Pass Ball, but is here described under another name, as it differs from Pass Ball in (1) not having the run to a goal line; (2) admitting of variations, as in the passing of several articles; (3) being comparatively informal without the scoring of fouls and other strict observance of rules that class Pass Ball with athletic events.

The players line up in two or more single files, which compete with each other, and must therefore contain an equal number of players. The captain or leader of each file toes a line drawn across the ground and holds a basket ball (a bean bag or other object may be used). At a given signal he passes the ball backward over his head to the player next behind, who in turn passes it backward as rapidly as possible, and so on until it reaches the last player in the line. He at once runs forward, carrying the ball to the front of the line, which moves backward one place to make room for him. He toes the line and passes the ball backward over his head. The play continues until the captain reaches the end of the line, and runs forward with the ball to his original place at the head of the file. As he takes his place there, he holds the ball aloft as a signal that he has finished. The file wins whose captain is the first to return to his place.

The game may be made very enlivening by passing several articles in rapid succession, each of a different and contrasting character, such as a basket ball, tennis ball, Indian club, heavy medicine ball, bean bag, light dumb-bell, three-or five-pound iron dumb-bell, etc. In this form of the game the last player must accumulate all of the articles before running forward with them, or the score may be made on the arrival of the last article at the rear of the line.

FOR THE SCHOOLROOM.--See also _Hand over head bean bag_, in which the entire class plays at once.

The players raise their seats where this is possible, and stand between the desk and the seat. Where the seats cannot be raised, the players may sit in the seats or on the desks. An even number of players should be in each line, and only alternate lines play simultaneously, so as to leave clear the necessary aisle space for running. Those at the front of the lines should hold a ball or any substitute for passing backward over the head, such as a bean bag, eraser, foot rule, or book. At a given signal the object is passed backward over the head to the next player in the rear, who in turn passes it backward, and so on down the line until the last player receives it. He runs forward on the _right_-hand side of his desk to the first seat. At the same time the other players in his row step into the aisle at the _left_ of the desks and move backward one place. The line wins whose original leader first gets back to the front.

As in all games in the schoolroom in which part of the players are seated while others run, care should be taken that there are no feet in the aisle over which the runners might trip.

ARCH GOAL BALL

_10 to 60 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Basket ball._

The players are divided into groups, and line up in single file in two or more lines facing a basket ball goal or any substitute. Each line has a basket ball. At a signal each leader passes the ball backward overhead, the next player catches it and passes it in the same way, and so on to the end of the line. When the last player receives the ball, he runs forward and tries to throw it into the basket, standing on a line marked from five to ten feet from the goal. He is allowed but one throw, when he quickly takes his place at the front of his line (which moves backward one place to make room for him), and at once passes the ball backward overhead. The last player, in turn, runs forward, throws for goal, etc. This is repeated until each player in a line has thrown for the goal. Each goal made scores two points for the team. The team wins which has the highest score when all of the players have thrown.

This may also be played on time. Then each player throws until he succeeds in getting the ball into the basket. The team wins whose last man finishes first.

BALL CHASE

_4 to 20 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Hand ball or substitute._

A row of caps is set against a wall or fence, or a series of holes dug in the ground. At a point ten or twenty feet from these all of the players stand, and one selected as thrower throws a ball into one of the caps or holes. Any substitute may be used for a ball, such as a small block of wood or a stone. Should he miss, he repeats the throw until he succeeds. As soon as a ball lands in a cap, the owner of the cap runs away, and all of the others chase him until caught.

It will be seen that this game may best be played where there is opportunity for considerable dodging around and behind obstacles. The player being chased is exempt if he can get back to his own cap before being caught by the others. If caught, however, he becomes thrower for the next round; otherwise the first thrower continues in that position.

In a gymnasium a series of circles may be drawn on the floor in place of the holes or caps, and a bean bag tossed into them.

BALL DRILL

(See _Hand Ball Drill_ and _Wall Ball Drill_.)

BALLOON BALL

_10 to 60 players._

_Schoolroom._

_Inflated balloon._

There are two goals, each consisting of a string stretched on opposite sides of the room from front to rear, at a height of six feet. There may be any number of players, who are divided into two teams.

The teams are seated in alternate rows. The A's represent the players on one team, the B's the players on the opposing team. The balloon is thrown in the air in the center by the teacher, and the players of both teams strike it with open hand.

Object.--The players of team A try to bat the balloon over goal A; the players of team B try to send it over goal B.

Fouls.--Fouls are called for the following:--

Standing more than half erect. Leaving seat entirely. Raising desk (if movable). Striking ball with clinched hand.

Score.--Each goal made counts two points. One point is also awarded to the opposing team for each foul.

This game may be varied by having a goal keeper for each team whose duty shall be to prevent the balloon from crossing his or her goal line. This goal keeper should stand, and should have a free use of the aisle in front of the goal.

This game was originated by Mr. Henry J. Silverman of New York City, and 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 published the handbook in which the game first appeared.

BALLOON GOAL

_10 to 100 players._

_Schoolroom; parlor; gymnasium._

_Inflated balloon._

The game is played with two toy balloons, preferably twelve inches in diameter, one red and one blue, which are struck with the open hand only. When the gas of the balloon is exhausted, the rubber bag may be refilled with the breath, when it will be found still to float sufficiently in the air for the purposes of the game.

The class is divided into two teams, preferably designated by colors corresponding to the balls, worn on the arm or otherwise. The teams are assigned by rows across the room from side to side, the first row of pupils belonging to the red team, the second to the blue, the third to the red, etc. Four goals are formed by stretching a tape diagonally across each of the four corners of the room about five feet from the floor, the goals in the diagonally opposite corners having the same colors, two of red and two of blue. The game consists in hitting the balloon with the open hand so that it will float down behind a goal tape, the red balloon scoring when it enters the red goals, and the blue balloon when it enters the blue goals. There are no goal guards, but it is the object of all players belonging to the red team to get the red balloon into the red goals, and of the blue team to keep it out. Similarly, the object of the blue team is to get the blue balloon into the blue goals and of the red team to keep it out.

The game starts by the teacher putting the balloons in play by tossing them up in the center of the room, when each side immediately begins to play for them. It has been found that with two balloons and four goals, and the interference offered by fixed seats and desks, it is unnecessary to limit the players to any given area. This, however, may be done should play become rough.

A score keeper scores one for each team making a goal with its balloon, but the game continues without interruption, the balloon being at once put in play again by the teacher.

A fifteen-minute game should be divided into at least three periods, the teacher signaling for a rest at the end of each five minutes.

This game is admirable for the parlor, and may also be played in the gymnasium or playground.

This game was originated by Mr. Max Liebgold of New York City, and received the prize offered by Mrs. Henry Siegel in the competition for schoolroom games conducted by the Girls' Branch of the Public Schools Athletic League of New York City in 1906. The game 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.

BALL PUSS

_3 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._

_Gas ball; basket ball; hand ball; bean bag._

This is a form of ball tag. In it each player chooses a home or corner, as in Puss in the Corner, or Home Tag. When played out of doors, trees may be used for this purpose; in a gymnasium, pillars or different pieces of apparatus; in the schoolroom, the corners of the room, the front and rear corner desks, the teacher's desk, the radiator, or any other objective points. The players who are so stationed beckon to each other to exchange places, and as they run from one place to another the one who is It tries to hit them with the ball. Any one so hit changes places with the one who is It.

As in all ball-tag games, either a ball or bean bag may be used. If played in the schoolroom, a light gas ball should be used; elsewhere, anything from a light-weight hand ball to a basket ball would be suitable. Hard balls should be avoided.

Where there are many playing, it is advisable to have two or three who take the part of thrower or Puss (It), in which case there will be two or three balls or bean bags in play at the same time, and the game is made more rapid.

BALL STAND

(Burley Whush)

_5 to 20 players._

_Out of doors; gymnasium._

_Hand ball; tennis ball._

This game is started by tossing a ball against a wall or on the roof of a house from which it may roll back. The players all stand in a group or row, from ten to twenty feet from the wall. One of the number is chosen as thrower and tosses the ball as indicated, at the same moment calling the name of one of the other players. This player must dash forward and catch the ball before it strikes the ground, while at the same moment all of the other players run as far away as possible. Should the one called succeed in catching the ball, the players come back and the thrower throws again, calling the name of some other player. Should the one whose name is called fail, however, to catch the ball, he calls out "Stand!" upon which the others must stop in their flight. The ball man then picks up the ball, and from where he stands throws it in his turn at one of the players. Any player so hit calls out "Hit!" and becomes at once the ball man. The other players immediately run again without returning to the wall, but stop as soon as the one hit calls "Stand!" which he must do upon picking up the ball.

This is continued until the ball fails to hit one of the players, when all return to the original starting place, where the last thrower of the ball throws it against the wall and the game begins again.

The players in their flight, the object of which of course is to diminish the chances of being hit by the ball, may run behind any obstacle, such as a bush or around the corner of a house, but in any such case must extend a hand so it shall be visible beyond this obstacle, that the ball man may still have an opportunity to hit them.

BALL TAG

_3 to 60 players._

_Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._

_Gas ball; bean bag; basket ball; hand ball._

There are several forms of ball tag, each quite distinctive, and all interesting and making good games. A soft ball or bean bag should be used in all of these games, or with older players a basket ball or other large, comparatively light-weight ball.

The players scatter promiscuously. One player, who is It, tries to hit one of the other players with a ball or bean bag. Any player thus hit becomes It and must try to tag others in the same way. When a player fails to hit one for whom he aims, the thrower must pick up his own ball or bag, except in the schoolroom, where the seats and desks interfere with this. There any adjacent player may pick up the ball and throw it back to the one who is It. Players may dodge in any way, as by stooping, jumping, or the usual sideways movements.

Where there are many playing, it is advisable to have two or three who take the part of thrower or It, in which case there will be two or three balls or bean bags in play at the same time, and the game is much more rapid.

If played in the schoolroom, a light gas ball or bean bag should be used. Elsewhere, anything from a light-weight hand ball to a basket ball would be suitable. Hard balls should be avoided.

BASKET BALL DISTANCE THROW