END BALL
This game, originated under the direction of Mr. William A. Stecher, of Philadelphia, is probably the best game ever devised for introducing players to some of the intricacies of team work and advanced ball play.
The practice which it gives in throwing, catching, guarding, scoring, the observance of rules, and attention to fouls, makes it an admirable training for the more complicated games, and should be used as a preparation for them.
The Girls' Branch of the Public Schools Athletic League of New York City has officially adopted this game for this purpose in elementary schools, where its use precedes Captain Ball or other team games of similar type.
No competition for girls is allowed between public schools in New York City. All competition is confined to the clubs of a given school.
BALL.—The ball used in all match games shall be Spalding's Official Basket Ball.
THE GROUND.—The ground is not invariable in dimensions. A space measuring 30 x 30 feet is sufficient for the game, and the usual size, though a larger space may be used for a very large number of players. This space shall be outlined, and then divided across the center by a straight line from side to side. At either end a narrow goal strip, 3 feet wide, shall be made by drawing a second line parallel to the end line.
For all match games clubs should agree on the dimensions of the field, and all preliminary practice should be on the same sized field.
PLAYERS.—The players shall be divided into two equal teams. One third of the players of each team shall be basemen, and take their places within the goal at one end of the ground; the balance of the team shall be guards and stand in the large territory in front of the goal on the opposite side of the ground. No regular arrangement for the players is required, but they should scatter over the field so as not to leave unguarded spaces.
OBJECT OF THE GAME.—The object of the game is for the guards on one side to throw the ball over the heads of the guards on the opposite side to their own basemen, at the end of the opposite field. Each ball so caught by a baseman shall score one point for the side catching it. The baseman should at once throw the ball back over the heads of the intervening guards to his own guards for another throw.
The object of the intervening guards is to intercept the ball before it can reach the basemen at their rear, and to throw it in turn to their own basemen at the rear of the opposite court, over the heads of the intervening opponents.
START.—The game shall be started by a referee (usually the teacher) putting the ball in play in the center of the field. This is done by tossing it upward between two opposing guards, each of whom shall try to catch it. The one whose hands touch it first shall be the possessor of the ball. The guards shall step forward in rotation to try for the ball whenever it is put in play, so that each guard shall have an opportunity.
When a goal is made the ball shall remain in play.
SCORE.—The ball shall score one point for a team whenever caught by a baseman from a throw from his own guards or whenever a baseman gets possession of the ball by its rolling into his territory.
The ball continues in play when a point is scored. The game shall be played in two halves of 15 minutes each (for beginners the half may be 10 minutes, until endurance is acquired). There shall be a rest of from 3 to 5 minutes between halves. At the beginning of the second half the players shall change goals.
The team shall win which has the highest score at the end of the second half.
FOULS.—It shall be a foul for any player to step outside of his assigned territory, either over the side lines or into his opponent's court. A ball so caught shall not score, and the foul shall be punished by the ball being given to the nearest guard of the opposing team, who shall immediately put it in play by a throw to his own basemen or guards. This rule of overstepping territory shall apply to both guards and basemen and for one foot or both.
It shall be a foul to carry the ball; i.e., to take more than one step with it.
It shall be a foul to touch the ball while it is in the hands of another player.
It shall be a foul to hold or push another player.
A foul shall be punished by the loss of the ball, which shall be given to a guard of the opposing team for a free (unobstructed) throw.
ADDITIONAL RULES.—Should a ball roll or be thrown beyond the rear boundary line, the baseman nearest the ball shall leave his base to secure it, bring it within the line at the point where it passed out, and from there throw it to one of the guards of his team in the opposite court. A ball that goes over the side lines shall similarly be secured by the guard nearest where it left the field.
