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.