Chapter IV: Forfeits (5)

Several methods of play are permissible, but the rule is invariable that the ball must always be hit with the closed fist, and always from underneath, except for sending it across the line. It must reach the opponents' court from a blow and not from a bound. Either fist may be used in striking a ball, but never both at once. A player may "dribble" the ball in the air before batting it over the line to the opponents; that is, he may keep it in the air by hitting it from underneath with his closed fist ("nursing" it) until he is prepared to bat it with his fist. A ball hit with the forearm is considered properly in play except for a service. Several players on one side may play on the ball before sending it into the opponents' court. In doing this the ball may bounce once after every time it is hit with the fist.

A ball is out of play (1) when it passes under the line or touches the line; (2) when it touches the ground twice in succession without being hit between the bounds; (3) when it touches the ground outside the boundaries from a blow; (4) when it bounds out of boundaries. Whenever a ball is put out of play in these ways, it is sent back to the side responsible for the failure, and they must put it in play again.

Whenever a side scores a point, the ball must again be put into play with a regular serve, the sides taking turns in this, and each player on a side serving in turn.

SCORE.--The score is made by both sides and is for returning the ball. If returned to the opponents without touching the ground, it counts two points for those returning it. A ball which touches the ground once before being hit back over the line scores one point. The game consists of twenty-five points.

After each game the two sides exchange courts.

FOR LARGE NUMBERS it is very desirable to have two or more balls in play at once. They are served simultaneously from opposite sides of the ground, at the opening of the game. There should be one score keeper for each ball.

FOR THE PARLOR.--This game may be played in the parlor with a light gas ball measuring four or five inches in diameter, or with a child's gas balloon. The same rules apply as in other forms of the game.

FOOTBALL TAG

_5 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Football._

Each of the players has three points at the beginning of the game. The players are scattered promiscuously over the ground or gymnasium. One player, who is It, has a football which he kicks lightly toward any other player, the idea being to tag some other by mere touch of the ball. Any one so touched or tagged by the ball loses one of the three points with which he started, and also becomes It, trying in turn to kick the ball so it will tag one of his fellows. There are no restrictions as to the moving about of players to evade the ball. The latter must not be touched with the hands, nor may it be kicked higher than the chests of the players. Any one infringing these rules loses one point for each offense, and remains It until he successfully tags some one according to rules. Any player who loses his three points is out of the game, and the player wins who remains longest in the field.

HAND BALL DRILL

(Preliminary Ball)

_1 to 100 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Hand ball; bean bags._

When little children first begin to handle a ball the size of
an ordinary hand ball, the acquirement of skill in tossing and
catching is not altogether easy. Experience with such children
has shown that some preliminary drill is very desirable as a
preparation for the ball games. This drill may itself be done
in the play spirit and made very interesting.

The various movements described may be general (by the class in
unison) in time to music or counting; or they may be done
individually or with partners as indicated, irrespective of the
time in which other individuals or partners are working.

In the latter method the play may be competitive, the pupils
counting the number of times in which they bound or toss or
catch without missing, the one reaching the highest number
winning.

It will be noted that the drill seeks to cultivate equal skill
of both hands. This is very desirable in many games and should
be done aside from any theories as to the value of
ambidexterity.