Forcing the City Gates
This is an old Chinese game. Two captains are selected, who in turn choose all the other players. The two teams are first formed in two lines, facing each other and about ten feet apart, with the players grasping hands. Each line represents a city gate. The captain should arrange the players so that the weakest may be between two strong players.
The play begins when the captain of one of the teams sends forward one of his men. This man can make three attempts to break through the opponent's city gate. He can do this, either by breaking the grasp of two of the players or by dodging underneath their arms or between their legs. Should he succeed in doing this, he takes back to reinforce his own line the two players who are responsible for his getting through. Should he fail, he enlists his efforts with those of his opponents by joining their line. The game is won when one team has succeeded in taking over all of the opponents.
Hare and Hound
This is an old game which is always popular. Two or three players are designated as hares. Each is given a large bag filled with paper torn into small bits. The hares are allowed a few minutes' start ahead of the rest of the players, who are known as hounds. The hounds follow the hares by means of the torn bits of paper scattered on the ground, in an effort to overtake them.
When the hares have used up all of their paper they hide their three bags near the end of the trail and race back from that point to the place from which the run started. When the hounds have discovered the bags, they also race back to the starting place. The game is won by the first player reaching said place.
Human Targets
An old flour or salt bag stuffed with straw or cloth may be used for this game. One player is selected to be the target. The others endeavor to hit the target by throwing the bag. The target may run or dodge in any way he desires, but the one who holds the bag cannot advance towards him in making his throw. If he is not near enough to hit the target, he can throw the bag to some other player who is nearer. When the target has been hit, the leader selects some one else to act as target.
Sling the Sack
Either a good sized sack well stuffed with rags or straw, or a small cloth sack filled with sand, may be used for this game. The game can be played on a level stretch of road or in a good sized field. The group is divided into two equal teams. A starting line is marked near the center of the playing space. A player from each team takes a position behind this starting line and in turn, with his left foot on the starting line and with his shoulders at right angles to it, slings the sack with his right arm straight at the elbow, over his head as far as possible. A left-handed player may reverse this position. The spot where the sack hits the ground is marked. The player from the opposing team stands in the same position at the starting line, as did the first player, and makes his throw in the same direction, and his throw is marked. These two throws are made in order to measure what constitutes a good throw of the sack. A line is drawn parallel to the starting line at the point where the farther of the two preliminary throws landed. The starting line and this other line are now known as goal lines. A centre line is drawn parallel to the goal lines and half way between them. A coin is flipped up between the two captains for the choice of goals.