Each court has bases marked at even distances over its surface, wherein the different players stand. These may be marked simply as a cross for a footmark, or a small circle or square. There is no particular arrangement for these, the only object being to scatter the players, no mass play being allowed in the game.
Drive Ball
PLAYERS.—The players, of no stipulated number, are divided into two equal teams. Each team appoints a captain, who stands at the middle of the dividing line and is responsible for the discipline of his team; a goal guard, whose duty it is to keep the ball from the goal and who stands in the goal; and from six to twelve players, each assigned a certain spot marked as his territory and from which he may not move more than two feet.
OBJECT OF GAME.—The object of the game is to throw the ball into the opponents' goal.
START.—The ball is put in play by being placed on the ground at the center of the dividing line between the two captains. At a signal from an umpire, each captain hits the ball with his fist. The ball is thereafter kept moving rapidly back and forth from one court to the other, hit always with the fist. After being caught or otherwise stopped, it should be bounced or thrown from one hand and hit with the fist.
RULES.—No player may move more than two feet from the base assigned him. At no time may players do mass work. Whenever a goal is made, the ball is again started from the center by the two captains. The goal guard may not step out of the goal, even with one foot. The ball must always be hit with the closed fist.
FOULS.—It is a foul to kick the ball; to hold it; to throw it with both hands or in any way except by batting with the closed fist; it is a foul to cross the dividing line. Each foul scores one point for the opposing team.
SCORE.—Whenever a ball touches the ground inside of a goal, it scores two for the batting side. Fouls count for the opposing side, as above stated. The game is played in three rounds of fifteen minutes each, with a rest of five minutes between. The teams change courts for successive rounds. The team wins which has the highest score at the end of the third round.
EMPEROR BALL (See Captain Ball—IV)