Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium

by Jessie H. Bancroft

Basket Ball Distance Throw

The lines drawn across the throwing space must be parallel with the throwing line in the circle. For players below the seventh year of the elementary school course (below twelve years of age) these three lines should be respectively twelve, eighteen, and twenty-seven feet from the forward edge of the circle. For players from the seventh and eighth year of the school course (that is, thirteen and fourteen years of age) these three lines should be respectively fifteen, twenty-one, and thirty-one feet from the forward edge of the circle. These measurements are for girls. For boys the longer distance given between lines will be found generally advisable, and they may even be increased.

The players are divided into competing teams, the players of each team throwing in rapid succession. Each player has but one turn, unless the ball should strike some obstacle before touching the ground, when another trial is allowed. A thrower must at the start stand in the circle and toe the throwing line, drawn across the center of the circle; in completing the throw he must not fall or step forward over the outer line of the circle in front of him. If at any part of the throw, from its start to finish, the thrower be out of the circle, it is considered a foul and does not score, the number of players in the team being counted as one less when the total or average is figured. The best form for throwing is that described for Battle Ball.

For each throw to the first line (the twelve or fifteen foot line) or any point between it and the next line, a team scores one point. For each throw to the second line (the eighteen or twenty-one foot line), or between it and the next line, a team scores three points. For each throw to or beyond the third line (the twenty-seven or thirty-one foot line) a team scores five points. The team averaging or adding the largest score wins first place in the event. If the number of players be not even, the score is decided by an average instead of by adding. Where several groups or teams are competing, if there be a judge for each team and floor space for more than one diagram, two or more teams should throw at once.

BATTLE BALL

6 to 12 players.

Playground; gymnasium.

Basket ball; Indian clubs.

This is one of the best and most interesting of the simpler team games. Briefly stated, it consists in trying to dislodge Indian clubs or tenpins placed at the rear of the enemies' territory. Players should be trained to coöperate and to understand the importance of each doing well his particular part. Playing into the hands of each other when necessary, as in passing the ball to good throwers, is one of the most important features of team work.

GROUND.—A ground measuring about fifty feet long by twenty-five wide should be divided into two equal parts by a line across the center. The rear boundary of each half is the goal or club line on which the Indian clubs are placed. Above these club lines a cord or rope is stretched seven feet from the ground. This cord may be fastened to posts on either side of the ground, or jump standards may be used to support it. If desired, back stops may be placed across the ground at a distance of five feet beyond the club line and extending beyond the boundaries of the court on either side.