Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium

by Jessie H. Bancroft

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.