Chapter III: Part 3

_Starter._--The starter gives the signal. As a rule, the pistol is the signal for the start. The starter should have a blank cartridge pistol, which she fires up into the air. The signals are: (1) “On your mark!” (2) “Get set!” (3) “Pistol.” The starter may penalize for a false start or for beating the pistol, that is, anticipating the pistol shot. She may disqualify if a runner deliberately starts ahead of the mark.

_Inspectors._--These officials watch for fouls in a race, such as, impeding a runner; coaching during the race; crossing into another lane; grasping tape in hands; knocking over a hurdle.

_Judges at Finish._--These judge the order of the runners at finish line--1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

_Timekeeper._--The timekeeper must use a stopwatch and must stand at the finish line. As soon as a runner touches tape or crosses line the timekeeper stops her watch, which was started at pistol shot. There should be at least one timekeeper for each of the first three runners.

_Field Judges._--These judges have entire charge of field events.

_Scorer._--Scorer keeps the official places and times of the participants.

RACES.

_The Start._--First false start is penalized a yard; second, a yard more; third, disqualifies. Any foul during race or start disqualifies. A tape or strand of worsted is stretched (about four feet high) across the track; the winner must breast this tape, arms raised. Every other runner must cross the finish line.

In a hurdle race the hurdles are placed 15 yards from start and 15 yards from finish line, allowing 10 yards in between each hurdle. The hurdler may knock down or over two hurdles and still win, but she is disqualified for the third. No record stands if a hurdle has been knocked over. All other rules for racing hold.

In the relay race the first girl to run starts at pistol; she or each succeeding runner must touch the hand of or hand the baton to the following runner. The last girl running must cross the finish line. No runner may run twice in a relay. All other rules for races are the same.

_Jumping._--Each competitor may have three trials, but she may take but one or two of those if she prefers.

_Running Broad Jump._--It is a foul to touch the ground with the foot on the farther side of the take-off. This counts as one trial. It is a foul to balk, that is, to run over the take-off without jumping. The longest jump is scored. The distance is measured by a field judge from the take-off to the nearest mark left by jumper.

_Standing Broad Jump._--It is a foul to take a preliminary spring or jump or to touch the earth in front of take-off with the foot. Measurement same as running broad jump.

_Running Hop, Step, and Jump._--Fouls and measurements same as running broad.

_Running High Jump._--Each competitor has three trials for each height. Unless she clears the bar without knocking it off it is a failure. It is counted a trial if the runner balks and does not jump. It is counted a trial to grasp the cross-bar. The bar is fixed at different heights; it is also well to measure bar in middle to determine exact height.

_Standing High Jump._--No preliminary jump or spring may be made. Measurement is the same as in running high jump.

_Pole Vault._--Each has three trials for each height. A vaulter is allowed to balk--that is, run without vaulting--but two balks count as a try. If the cross-bar is knocked off it is a failure.

_Weight Throwing._--Each has three trials. The distance is measured from the toe board to the nearest mark left by shot. It is a foul to touch with any part of person over the toe board or out of circle. It is a foul to throw the shot instead of putting it straight out from the shoulder. It counts as a try to drop the shot.

_Base Ball Throw._--Same as shot put.

_Basket Ball Throw._--Same as shot put.

_Javelin Throw._--Same as shot put.

_Discus Throw._--Same as shot put.

_Score._--The score for first place is generally 5 points; second place, 3 points; third, 1 point. If there is a tie the competitors divide the points. If tied for first place, the sum of first and second points is divided; same for tie for second place.

Field Day

Field Day is essentially one on which field sports are participated in. It is usually held annually. By field sports are meant the throws, the weight and jumping events described in the chapter on Track Athletics. Field Day, however, has various interpretations; it may be for celebration, or for exhibitions, or for competition. As the title indicates, Field Day is an out-of-door function.

If it is a gala day for celebration, there may be different kinds of dances--interpretative dances, æsthetic dances, May pole dancing, and folk dances; there may be drills of various kinds, such as are mentioned in the chapter on Gymnastics; there may be tournament meets or games.

Field Day as an exhibition may consist of different dances, drills and sports, or games that have been practised during the year and that are displayed now in order to show the results obtained.

The Field Day in which dancing and drills play an important part is often enlivened by the use of colors. Scarfs, streamers or bands of striking colors lend an effective note to a dance. For the drills a uniform costume with a distinguishing streak of color is the most suitable. As modern people like to be entertained, mock games, “stunts,” and such races as three-legged, sack, and potato, may be used. The object of the “mock games” and “stunts” is to amuse as much as possible. There is very little element of sport that enters in. In the games, players used to certain positions may play entirely different ones; or they may be dressed up in popular “take-offs” (imitations).

The third interpretation of Field Day is one for the purpose of holding competitive sports or games. In fact, Field Day is often held annually to decide the winners or the champions in the sports indulged in during the year; or Field Day is the day of the annual track and field meet. A method for competition in each sport is suggested at the end of each respective chapter.

Walking

There is a vast amount of difference between a real walk and a so-called walk. A saunter along the city streets in high-heeled pumps and clothing too restricted to allow a free stride and room for deep breathing is not a real walk, especially as it usually consists of stops, such as gazing at shop windows or sampling the confections of the various stores. A real walk is entirely different, with the walker reaping all the benefits derivable from fresh air and muscular activity. There are two kinds of real walking--non-competitive and competitive.

To deal first with non-competitive walking, which is for the sheer joy of exercise and fresh air, there are three maxims to be remembered by the walker, namely, distance, form and clothing.

_Distance._--The walker should have an objective point, but the distance should never be longer than can be accomplished without extreme effort. It never pays to over-exert. When tired, the walker should rest or stop, but never give up when the tired feeling is merely imaginary. Cover up well when resting or upon stopping. The main trouble often is that an unaccustomed walker will try to keep pace with a walker of long experience. The unaccustomed walker is then apt to walk too fast, too far or too long. Be conservative in the distance at first, then increase it as your experience increases.

_Form._--Many walkers fail to derive entire benefit from their exercise because they walk badly. The head should be up, shoulders erect, chest forward, so that there is plenty of room for deep breathing. How many walkers fail to breathe deeply and gloriously! How many walkers gasp for breath and puff and plod along the way! Then the arms often are allowed to swing too violently, thus wasting a lot of energy. Watch your arms; don’t let them imitate pump handles. Let them move freely but gently. The legs, of course, are kept straight; the foot should be put down so that the toe and ball of foot are on the ground a fraction of a second before the heel. Be careful that you don’t come thundering down on your heels or come down with the whole foot flat.

_Clothing._--The importance of clothing is often disregarded, for the most part through thoughtlessness. The shoes worn should be comfortable--low-heeled, broad toes, a medium rubber or leather sole. The skirt should be short enough and wide enough to allow perfect freedom of stride. The clothing around the body should be loose enough to allow free play of the muscles and ample chest expansion. Dress warmly, but do not start with so much clothing that you will soon become overheated.

TRAMPS OR HIKES.

One of the most enjoyable forms of walking is a weekly series of tramps or hikes. This is an extremely beneficial form of outdoor exercise for a school or a club to indulge in. Everybody can join in. A leader should be appointed or elected and a committee chosen to arrange a schedule of tramps. Start out with an objective point of local or historical interest that will make a walk of not more than four or five miles for the first attempt. The distance can be gradually increased as the walkers become accustomed until finally they can take all day trips. Such a day spent by a jolly group of girls gives not only valuable physical development but also combines exercise with social enjoyment.

Good advice to the walker is: Breathe deeply; walk briskly; take a walk as often and as regularly as possible although it may be but a short one.

COMPETITIVE WALKING.

Competitive walking may be for distance--greatest distance in a set time; or for time--fastest time for a set distance. As in all competitive sports, competitive walking should be watched for over-exertion, nerve strain and exhaustion. In the walk the arms are bent; one foot must be on the ground when other is off or the official will call a foul for running. The form is called the “heel and toe” walk, the heel of one foot leaving the ground as the toe of other foot comes down.

The rules for walking are very similar to those of running or sprinting. The competitor must start from behind a starting line, at a given signal, usually a gun. The distance of the race is measured and there is either a tape to be breasted or a finish line on the track to be crossed. False starts are penalized as in track (Page 65). Two fouls making the offender liable to disqualification are: running, i. e., having both feet off the ground at the same time; interfering with or impeding another competitor.

Golf

Golf, like tennis, is a favorite outdoor game. It is essentially an open weather game, but it may be played all the year around. It is deservedly popular because it combines cross-country walking, with all of its many benefits, and a peculiar skill with a variety of implements or clubs.

Anybody--woman, girl or child in her teens--who has perseverance can make a golfer. No great strength is necessary. The only requisites are a good eye, persistence, a good teacher and the facilities of a course. Fortunate is the person who at an early age learned his or her golf from a competent instructor, and fortunate is the person who has the facilities of a golf course either public or private.

The standard golf course is of eighteen holes. The average hole is 300 yards or more, although the distances usually vary from 125 yards to 600 yards and of a total length of upward of 6,000 yards. Should a player play straight over the course it will be seen that a single round would usually require a walk of four miles. Play is started from a driving green--a leveled mound of earth. The ball is teed-up on the driving green by placing a pinch of fine sand on the green and the ball upon it so that it is a half inch or more above the surface. The driver, a wooden club with a heavy head or sole, is used and the ball sent with a full stroke as far on its way to the hole as possible. Usually the space immediately in front of the tee for 50 or 75 yards is rough ground, terminating with a bunker and sand pit or some other form of hazard such as a brook, etc. Then comes the fair green, a more or less level grassy stretch extending to within a few yards of the putting green, which contains the hole or cup. On either side of the fair green is the rough, which is long grass, sand, water and other hazards. Usually the putting green is surrounded by traps such as sand pits, bunkers or mounds of earth and water hazards, while often a brook trickles through the fair green. The object of the game is to negotiate the course in the fewest number of strokes.

The drive from the tee should carry one over the first rough and over the first bunker or trap and well on to the fair green. On the fair green, if the hole is a long one and the lie of the ball favorable, the club used to send the ball again on its way is the brassie, which is a wooden club quite similar to the driver. It has a wooden head or sole, but the bottom of the head is plaited with a strip of brass to protect the wood, as the ball must be picked up off the ground without the aid of teeing. The drive for a girl should net a hundred yards, more or less, and the brassie stroke about the same. Often the lie of the ball on the fair green is not favorable to a brassie stroke, in which case an iron club with a pitch to the head of the club with which to loft the ball is used. This may be the mid-iron, the cleek, the mashie-niblic, or the mashie. The last named club is sometimes called the lofter and is used mainly for approaching the hole from off the green from distances of a hundred yards or less. The putting green is a very well levelled surface of extremely fine grass in which the cap is sunk. Putting greens vary from very fine levels likened to billiard tables to undulating slopes. The club to use on this green is the putter.

When a player is unfortunate enough to send the ball into the rough or long grass, a heavy iron club such as the mashie-niblic or mid-iron is used. And when the ball is sent into the sand or in a bunker the niblic is played. This club has a very heavy sole with a decided pitch for lofting and sends the ball high into the air out of trouble and on to the fair green when the stroke is played properly.

In learning to putt, the game of Clock Golf, found on most good courses, is a great help for it means that a girl may get diversion while _grasping_ the fundamentals. The first question in putting, as with every club, is _to establish the most efficient grip_. There are two classes of grips--the overlapping grip and the regular or two-handed grip. The _former is the more modern grip and is, I believe, the more efficient_. The left hand is placed nearly at the end of the club. The right hand is so placed that the little finger of the right overlaps the first finger of the left, and the left thumb is almost entirely covered by the right hand. This grip brings the wrists closer together than the two-handed method and so produces greater harmony of action in the swing.

With the grip established, the next fundamental is the stance and address. Draw an imaginary line from the ball to the hole; stand behind the line with heels together--feet at right angles to each other, the left foot pointing toward the hole; the player stands bending slightly from the hips with arms stretched down full length; the right elbow points to the right thigh; the left points toward the hole; the club swings as a pendulum; the sole of the club addresses the ball at right angles to the imaginary line. The player’s eye should be right above the ball. The secret of the putt is two-fold--the swing, which should be in direct proportion to the distance (and state of the green) from the hole, and the impact of club and ball at a perfect right angle. The follow through should be along the imaginary line still preserving the right angle. With the fundamentals established, practice will develop astonishingly accurate putting.

When the beginner has become adept at putting, the next step is to place the ball back on to the fairway twenty yards or so and take up the mashie. Here again the fundamentals are important. The grip is already mastered. The stance however differs in that the heels are not together--the feet being farther apart, the right foot farther behind the ball. The stance and address are important and the player should obtain the advice of a professional or seasoned player. The best advice the writer can give is to study the club and let it do its work. The mashie can be used for a chip stroke for short distance and for a full stroke when the ball lies farther from the hole. It is an extremely important club and when mastered can save the player many strokes.

The next club to study is the brassie. The stroke with the brassie is the same as with the driver on the tee. The stance and address for the drive and the brassie shot finds the player with feet well apart, the right foot well behind the ball, the arms extended, the body upright and flexible, the weight evenly on both feet and the head down with the eye somewhat behind the ball. The club addresses the ball at right angles. In the upward swing of the club the forearms are turned and the left knee shifts so as to bring the weight on to the right foot; the club descends down through the arc it has described; the right foot pivots, the forearms turn, the weight comes almost wholly on the left foot and the club returns to the ball exactly at right angles. The club head is ahead of the hands and the ball is hit cleanly, the power coming from the right arm. The follow through finds the weight on the left foot, the right having only enough to preserve the player’s balance.

It is on the drive and brassie stroke that “pressing” is a severe fault. It is more important to hit true and to preserve the right angle by following through than to hit hard. Most girls do not hit a long ball. A far surer game is the short game. Accurate strokes down the middle of the fair green is sounder golf, so do not “press” and do not try to kill the ball.

After the brassie and driver are mastered, one can take up the mid-iron, cleek, niblic, spoon, and jigger in the order named. These clubs are for special service, and cannot be described in detail here.

An excellent practice to follow when taking up the game for the first time is to devote a day or even a week to each club, although it takes will-power to resist playing with the whole set instead of one club. As you master a club practice with it continuously. You will find such practice invaluable. Do not take up your second club until you have thoroughly mastered the first. And as I have said before, I would recommend that the game be learned backward--so to speak--with putter first, then with mashie, brassie, driver and down through the other clubs.

An adjacent golf course is a welcome requisite to a girls’ school or club. It is desirable for athletic associations or faculties to organize tournaments, as competition usually heightens interest. Where skill is unequal handicaps may be arranged by averaging a player’s scores and allowing the differences between the average score and par as a handicap. In this way evenness in competition is assured. Usually matches are decided by the winning of holes, although many competitions are decided on medal score or the total strokes for 18 holes. There are several kinds of tournaments possible in golf--two-ball or four-ball matches, or best ball matches. The last is where four players go around the course, two playing against the other two and counting only the best ball on each hole. Possibly the most satisfactory form for a tournament to take is the round robin tournament, where the number of entries is not too great, as each player meets everyone entered. Where the entry list is big the elimination tournament is most efficacious, and when there is still a larger entry list it is well to divide the players into first and second flights by first playing a qualifying round, counting medal scores, the lowest scores being grouped together in the first flight. A match may be made even by handicaps when players of varying skill are entered.

Skating

There are few forms of exercise that are more exhilarating than skating. There seems to be a peculiar fascination that holds you. There is a pleasing restfulness and a soothing feeling while you are gliding over the smooth ice. Surely there is nothing so interesting to watch as good skating. An intangible quality seems to draw you to it, to make you want to put on a pair of skates and try it yourself. Out-of-doors skating is, of course, preferable to rink skating, but the latter is a very acceptable substitute.

“I have weak ankles. I can’t skate.” How many times have girls offered this trite excuse! If anyone really wants to learn to skate, with a little patience and perseverance it can soon be accomplished.

The skates should be the right size for the shoe in order to avoid any accident. The shoe should be high, and not too stiff at the ankles. It is advisable to have the shoe and skate fastened together. The skates should be always well wiped, sharp and in good condition.

The skater must learn straight skating, that is, moving forward by long slides on each foot alternately while the foot not on the ice is held up backward and outward from the ice, before attempting intricacies.

To learn the elementals of straight skating, start with the left foot. This foot slides forward on the flat of the skate, the toe turned out; the left knee is bent, the weight of the body is forward, thus giving momentum to the slide. The right foot is back, raised a few inches. When the momentum is almost gone, then gripping the ice with the toe of the left foot, the right foot starts its slide. As the right starts, the left foot is lifted ready for the glide, and so on, skating straight ahead.

Skating backward is learned in the same manner, except that the back of the foot is turned out instead of the toe.

It requires practice in order to perfect these two forms of straight skating. They should be acquired and thoroughly mastered, so that the skater glides over the ice with ease and skill before any dancing or continental skating is attempted.

There are several points of form that should be brought to mind. The slides or strokes should always be of equal length and as long as possible. If one foot is stronger than the other, then particular attention should be paid to the weaker foot. The skating knee is always bent. The foot not in use is stretched outward and downward, toe pointed downward. The body is carried well forward, head erect; the arms move rhythmically, but not in an exaggerated position. The body must not be stiff. There should be no rigid muscles at all.

It is not the hurried, quick strides with a body bent over in a grotesque fashion that constitutes good skating, but the long, even glides, with the body poised naturally and responding to the rhythm of the motion.

Continental skating has in the last few years proved to be very popular. It is impossible to give a detailed account of all the intricate figures in a comparatively limited space. The more elementary school figures, however, can easily be explained. The skate has an inside and an outside edge, and progress may be made either forward or backward on either edge. Thus, there are four edges: forward outside edge, backward outside edge, forward inside edge, backward inside edge.

For the forward outside edge a circle is described on the outer edge of the skate. The first stroke is on the right foot. The start is obtained by a push from inside edge of the skate of the left foot. The body leans toward the circle.

For the backward outside edge, the circle is described on the outer edge of the skate. This is like the forward outside edge, only much more difficult; the body leans in toward the circle and backward.

The forward inside edge is a circle described on the inside edge of the skate; the outer shoulder is turned as far out and forward, the inner shoulder is turned back, the body leans toward the middle of the circle. When the circle is almost complete, the free foot is brought forward, the shoulders straightened.

The backward inside edge is more difficult, but the theory is the same as the forward inside edge. The foot at completion is carried back, not forward, however.

These are fundamentals for figure skating and should be practised carefully. After the edges, the five threes, the loops, the brackets, the four rockers, and the four counters are learned. These are easily learned if the four edges have been perfected.

Ice Hockey

One of the most enjoyable and thrilling of the skating pastimes is ice hockey. For this a special hockey skate is made.

HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED.

The game is played by two teams with six or seven players. The players hit a small piece of rubber, called the puck, with sticks especially made. These sticks are long and slender, flat at the blade, which is at an angle from the handle. The ball is advanced up and down the rink or playing area. A point is scored when one team shoots the puck through the opponents’ goal. The team wins which has the highest number of points at the end of the game, which is divided into two halves of twenty minutes each with a ten-minute intermission between the halves.

The playing area is usually 112 feet long by 58 feet wide. There are two goal posts at each end of the playing area, 10 feet from the edge of the ice; the posts are 4 feet high and are 6 feet apart. A sloping net should be placed in back to catch the balls.

The game is started with the puck in the middle of the ice, i. e., the referee places the puck between the sticks of two opposing players, each of whom tries to get possession of the ball or pass it to one of her teammates. The game is a very fast one. The four forward players, the rover (right center) and the left center, and the right and left wings, are essentially attackers, although the rover may be called upon to defend. Cover point, point, and goal keeper are the defense players. The goal keeper should stick close to her goal; the point plays in front of the goal, some distance from her; the cover point plays some distance in front of the point and can often aid the forwards by feeding them and assuming an aggressive play.

If the puck goes out of bounds over the end lines it is faced, by the referee, five yards within the goal line and at right angles to it. If it goes over the side lines it is faced five yards within the line and at right angles to it.

The puck is played by means of the stick. It is not permissible to touch it with any part of the body, except to stop it dead or block it. The puck may be pushed, shoved, or lifted, i. e., by inserting the blade of the stick under the puck. You may hit your opponent’s stick.

You may body check, that is, shove from the side or front with the shoulder or hip.

You may block an opponent or you may block the puck with the skates, stick, or body.

An important rule is that of off-side. No player, if she is between the puck and her opponent’s goal, may receive a pass from one of her team unless it is touched by an opponent, or unless one of own team with the puck is between her and the opponents’ goal. The penalty for off-side play is facing the ball where the foul occurred. This rule does not hold in defense directly in front of the goal. One point is scored when the puck passes between the goal posts lower than their highest point.

The teams change goals to begin the second half.

The fouls are:

To lift the stick above the shoulder except when lifting the puck.

To throw a stick.

To hit, trip, or block a player by holding the stick in a horizontal position.

To body check or charge from behind, to trip, kick, push, hold with hand or stick.

For the goal keeper to sit, kneel, or lie.

To grasp, carry, or push the puck with any part of the body.

To interfere with a player not in possession of the puck.

The penalty for a foul is: The offender may be ruled off the ice for a certain time.

OFFICIALS.

There is a referee who controls the game and inflicts the penalties.

There are two umpires, one at each end, to decide whether a goal has been made. There are two timekeepers to keep the time of the game and a penalty timekeeper who keeps the time of players ruled out and notifies the player when she may return to the game.

There is for each team a captain, who makes the decisions for her team, and she is responsible for the good sportsmanship of her team.

There are many little tricks in ice hockey that may be acquired with practice, but the object of the game should be to have as clean and fast a game as possible, where skillful playing holds greater sway than roughness.

Rowing

Very lucky is the school or college that has the necessary facilities for rowing. Wherever this form of sport is indulged in, it is generally popular. It deserves its popularity, for not only is it one of the most pleasant outdoor recreations but it is also very beneficial, since it brings into play practically all the muscles in the body.

In rowing, as in other sports, there is a great difference between competitive and non-competitive work. Whether racing or merely taking a pleasure row, the stroke is, however, fundamentally the same.

First, the position in the boat is to be considered. The oarsman sits in the center of the boat with her back toward the bow, facing the stern, with her feet planted firmly on the bottom of the boat, knees bent, slightly apart. An oar is grasped firmly in each hand, the oars having previously been adjusted in the oar-locks. There is a difference in the racing stroke, as shown under Racing.

_Position of the Hands on the Oar._--Next to be considered is the stroke itself. The blade of the oar is just above the water and perpendicular to it. The arms and hands are straight, so that the hands holding the oars are just above the toes.

_Catch._--Then the blades enter the water, turned forward so that they are held in the water vertically. The body is then swung backward from the hips; all the strength and weight of the body are put to the oars.

_Pull._--As the body is swinging backward, the arms are bent into the chest. The blade of the oar is kept under water during the entire length of the pull.

_Recovery._--As the hands touch the chest, the forearm is dropped quickly, thus causing the blade to leave the water.

_Feathering._--The blade is carried a few inches above and horizontal to the water. It is gradually turned, as the catch is reached, to a perpendicular position, ready to enter the water as the arms are straightened ready for the catch.

_Legs._--Where a sliding seat is used the object is to combine the use of the arms and legs in making the sweep of the oar longer, at full reach the body being doubled up with the knees under the chin, the stroke consisting of catching the water with the back and forcing it through to the finish by combined action of back and legs. When the finish is reached the legs are straight, the hands and oar are against the chest, and the body slightly back of the perpendicular.

Racing

The racing stroke is the same, except that for the four and eight-oared crews each oarsman pulls one oar, known as a “sweep,” holding it in both hands--the inside hand at the end of the oar, the outside hand a hand’s breadth away. The boats used for racing are known as “shells,” especially made for the purpose. These have sliding seats and are equipped with either oar-locks or thole pins (according to the belief of the coach) and stretchers, or boards against which the feet rest. When the body is forward, the sliding seat is forward toward the bow; as the pull is starting, the seat comes back until the body is back, then it moves forward as body swings forward.

In racing, the shell is steered by a coxswain, who sits in the stern facing the oarsmen and holds the lines which guide the rudder. This is very important, since she tries to choose the best and most favorable course. She must observe all conditions closely. She alters the course as little as possible, taking care not to jerk or in any way interfere with running of the boat. She also judges the stroke, that is, when the stroke should be faster or slower.

The stroke oar is the most important position in the boat, since all the others time their strokes according to _hers_, either faster or slower, according to the necessity.

Above everything necessary in racing is a good coach, who watches carefully for any signs of fatigue or over-exertion. It never pays in the long run to overdo. The crew should work smoothly, harmoniously and with perfect mastery of the stroke. This can be obtained through the supervision of the coach, who criticises the individual and the whole. In arranging a crew the heavier girls are in the center, the lighter at either end; the coxswain should be as small and light as possible, thus not adding much unused weight.

In the single and double sculls--that is, boats rowed by one or two oarsmen--an oar is grasped in each hand. The sculler steers by pulling evenly on both oars for a straight course, or more strongly on one or the other oar for a variation of the course.

RULES FOR RACING.

Boat races, or regattas, are held on fixed courses for measured distances. In choosing a course, the natural and local conditions have to be considered. The most desirable are straightaway over inland waters with no, or little, current. If the course is in tidal water, the race should be so timed that it is not necessary for the crew to row against the tide.

The start and the finish are marked by flags. The stern must be on a line with the start. The bow first crossing the finish line wins. A tie is usually rowed over again.

The start is generally made at the pistol shot, fired by the official starter. Each boat has been assigned to a course, decided by lot. The winner has first choice and should make the most of the opportunity, considering position, tide, wind and other local conditions. No crew may go into another’s course.

If the course is not straightaway, each boat must turn around the turning stake in its own course.

Besides an official starter, there is an umpire who judges the races; a judge or judges of the finish.

The different kinds of crews are: Single--one oarsman; doubles--two oarsmen, each pulling two oars; pairs--two oarsmen each pulling one oar; fours--four oarsmen each with one oar; eights--each with one oar.

Paddling

Closely allied to rowing is paddling. This is done in a canoe by one, two, or more people. If by one, she seats herself in the stern, facing the bow; if two, one is in the stern and one is in the bow, back toward the stern. There are rarely more than three or four in a canoe, the average being two people to a canoe.

The Indians of the Canadian backwoods usually delegate the responsibility of steering to the bow man because of rough water or the danger from submerged rocks in swift running streams. Usually, in more civilized waters, the steering is done by the paddler in the stern, who, by a twist of the wrists, turns the blade of the paddle toward the canoe or away, according to the direction desired. The paddle is held in both hands; the near hand is held pretty far down the blade, more than shoulder’s width from far hand, which is held over the top of the paddle. There are many forms of paddling; some prefer straight, others bent arms. The reach with the paddle should not be so far ahead of the paddler that she is forced to lean forward. The paddle is brought out of the water when both arms are straight back, body in a normal position. It is carried forward but a few inches above the water with blade flat.

An Indian custom that has come down to us is the double paddle. The paddle is fashioned with a handle in the middle and paddles at either end. The paddler sits in the center of the canoe. First the paddle is dipped in the water at the left and then to the right. Steering is done by turning the paddle, in or out, as you would go, left or right. The double paddle is fascinating, but hardly so safe for the novice as the single.

Practice and experience are the two best teachers.

Tennis

Tennis scarcely needs an introduction. It is one of the finest games--for girls or men--we have, and it has proved its worth through years and years of play.

Tennis is played on a rectangular court, either of turf, clay or cement, provided that it is level. The dimensions of the court for doubles are 36 by 78 feet. The 78-foot lines are known as the side lines; the others as the end or base lines. Parallel to each base line and 18 feet distant from are two service lines, drawn from side service line to side service line. Parallel to each side line and 4-1/2 feet distant from them is a side service line, drawn from end line to end line. A line exactly in center joins the two service lines, thus making four service courts. The net is stretched exactly across the center of the court, and should be 3 feet high in the middle. It is desirable that there be no obstructions within 3 feet of the court on the side and 12 feet at ends, and that there should be backstops of considerable height. The posts to which net is attached should be 3 feet away from the court.

The game may be played by two, three or four players, who bat a ball across the net with a racket until one or the other fails to return the ball. If only two play (or, as it is termed, “singles”), the side lines are dispensed with and the side service lines are the boundary lines (27 × 78 feet).

The ball is put in play by the server. The courts and service are determined by a toss; the winner may choose either the end of court or the serve, but not both. The server, standing on the right-hand side of her base line, with feet behind the line, sends the ball into her opponent’s right-hand court. The player receiving ball after it has bounced must return it over the net so that it touches inside the court; then the server returns, etc., until there is a failure to return the ball. This counts a point for opposing player of the one who makes the fault. Then the ball is again served, this time from the left-hand side, next from the right, continuing to alternate until the game is finished. A game is always begun by serving from the right-hand court.

The game is won when a player has scored four points, except in the case of deuce, when more are necessary. The first point is “15;” the second, “30;” the third, “40;” the fourth, “game.” If both players have “15,” it is “15-all;” if one, “15-love (or naught).” The server’s score is always called first. If both have 30, 30-all; if one has 30, the other none or 15, it is 30-love, or 30-15. If both have 40, it is “deuce.” In deuce it is necessary to play extra points. The first point won is “advantage in” (server) or “out” (striker), as may be the case; the next point if won by the same player is game, but if won by the other player it is deuce again, and so on until one player wins two points in succession.

The server, after the first game, becomes the receiver, and the serve is alternated with each game until the end of the set. A set consists of six games won by one player, unless the opposing player is less than two games behind, that is, a set cannot end at 6/5, but must be played until one or the other obtains a two-game lead. Ends of the court are exchanged after each set. The server should always keep the score.

It is the aim of the players to return as many good balls as possible. A ball is “good” when it is sent within the court. It is a “fault” when it hits outside the boundary lines, or does not clear the net--a ball, however, which touches net but still falls on the right side (a “let ball”) is “good.” Faults count one point for opponent or opponents. Other faults that count for opponent are: Server serves two faults in succession; volleying the ball before it has touched the net; volleying a served ball before it bounds (any other ball may be volleyed); failure to return a ball. It is a fault to touch net while ball is in play, or to touch the ball with any part of person except the racket, or to touch ball with racket twice.

The receiver may hit the ball in the air (except serve) or after the first bounce, but may never hit after the second bounce.

A player in tennis must never be caught napping. Tennis calls for wide awake, quick playing. It is best to stand either near the net or back farther toward the service line. For most girls I would recommend the base line game. Never stand where your opponent can drop a ball directly at your feet; always be ready for her. You must always watch where she is and try to place the ball in the spot most difficult for her to reach.

In order to be ready the racket should be held firmly and easily so that it may be prepared for any stroke. Above all, keep your eye on the ball; if you look at the place you want to hit the ball and not at the ball, you do not hit it squarely and you give your play away. When you receive, do not stand too far away or too near. If you are too far away, you are apt to tip it; if too near, you bend your arm and do not get a good stroke.

The game of tennis is divided into two main divisions, serving and receiving. First, let us take up serving. This is the method of putting the ball in play. The server must stand behind the base line of the court. She must serve her ball into the diagonally opposite service court. She is allowed two balls; if the first is a fault she is allowed to serve the second. To be a good ball it must touch the ground in the service court, fairly clearing the net. A double fault on the part of the server counts a point for the opposing side, that is, it is a fault to serve two balls which do not clear the net, or do not touch inside the service court. When the ball touches the net but goes into the proper service court, it is called a “let ball” and does not count, but is served over again. Failure to return the ball after it is served counts one point for the server. The server must not step across the base line while serving, nor must she step, hop, walk or run.

In serving it is important to study the grip of the racket, the method of hitting the ball, and the way to toss the ball into the air. The racket is held tightly in the hand by what is known as the long grip, hand at the end of the racket--usually the right hand. There are many different swings and twists used. It is best to adopt one that brings into play the full strength of the arm and shoulder, thus an overhead swing of the racket is most often used. The ball is tossed into the air and the racket, in its exact center, should hit the ball directly over the net into the opposite service court. Before a cut or a speedier serve is developed, the player should make sure of a steady ball that as a rule is good. After that is acquired, practice the cuts and put as much speed as possible into the serve. It is very important that the ball and the racket should meet at the psychological moment. If the ball is hit too low, it does not clear the net; if it is hit while too high in the air, it goes out of the service court. The follow through of the stroke should be natural and never chopped.

In receiving and returning the ball there are many different strokes to use. It is advisable for the beginner to perfect both forehand and backhand strokes. For these strokes, the racket should be held in the short grip, that is, the end of the racket is at the wrist, hand reaching up the handle; the forearm should be in a line with the racket.

One stroke, the drop stroke, the arm is back of the body, extended to full length; then move--rather sweep--forward to meet the ball as it is about waist high, giving a little upward turn to your racket. Always follow through. The arm should be straight in this stroke.

Besides a forehand stroke, a backhand stroke is also necessary to learn. In the forehand, the weight is on the right foot, but in the backhand it is on the left foot. There are many different kinds, but the most natural is the best for the beginner to use. The arm and racket, of course, are across the body. Swing back and meet the ball squarely, with body turned greatly to that side. Be careful to follow through.

A great many people spoil their game of tennis by wild playing and smashes. It is much better to be deliberate and calculating, carefully placing your shots out of reach of your opponent. Try to make every play count. In other words, use your head rather than brute strength.

A good racket--carefully chosen for weight and balance and to which you have become accustomed--practice, a deliberate study of the game and your playing--these will help the average player.

The most suitable dress for tennis is a light weight waist or a middy blouse; a short, wide skirt, and rubber or felt-soled flat-heeled shoes.

TENNIS MATCHES OR TOURNAMENTS.

For a tennis match there should be an official referee, who determines questions concerning the rules; an umpire, who judges all balls except those on the lines, which are judged by the linesmen; a linesman for each of the seven lines, whose duty it is to judge the ball near her line. There may be a scorer, but this duty is generally assumed by the umpire, who announces each point, the score of each game, and how the sets stand.

Each player should enter her name in advance; then each draws for opponent, the winner of one match meeting the winner of another, etc., until the final match is played. This is an elimination tournament. In doubles, the pair may be entered or the partner may be drawn for.

A favorite form of tournament where the number of entrants is small is the round robin tournament, where each contestant meets every other, irrespective of victories. The championship with its trophy is given to the girl winning the greatest number of matches.

Tournament play is greatly to be recommended, especially for schools or clubs. Match play adds considerably to the pleasure of the sport and usually has beneficial results, both physical and physiological. I have seen diffident girls taught to gain self control and composure at all times by competitive athletics. A tennis tournament can be made a gala social event as well as one of keen and interesting sport.

Cricket

Cricket is not widely played by girls, but there is no game which might be adopted to better advantage. It may be played without any danger of over-exertion. A cricket crease may be placed on any level grassy field, usually a ground 100 yards square, although a smaller field may be utilized. The equipment required includes two sets of wickets, a cricket ball, at least two bats, the wicket-keeper gloves and leg guards, and a leg guard for each of two batsmen who are in. There are eleven players on each team and the game is divided into innings; that is, a side has its inning when it is at the bat. Two batsmen are “in” at a time.

The wickets are set in the middle of the field, opposite, parallel and 22 yards apart. On a line with the wicket is the bowling crease, 8 feet 8 inches in length. Four feet in front and parallel to it is the popping crease, of unlimited length.

The batsman who is first striker takes her position with bat on the popping crease, the bowler at the opposite wicket, well behind bowling crease; also the second batsman, bat in hand, ready to run when hit is made. The bowler delivers the ball. It must be bowled, not thrown, tossed, or jerked. The bowler is allowed a run in her delivery, but she must keep one foot on the ground behind the bowling crease and within the return crease, otherwise it is no ball.

The bowler must deliver the ball so that it shall come to the batsman on the ground. If it is delivered high or wide, the umpire shall call “wide ball.” Six good balls make an “over;” the bowler shall be allowed to change ends when she pleases, provided she has not bowled two “overs” consecutively in one inning. The captain of the outs places the field as she deems wise, depending upon the skill of the batsman.

The striker hits the ball; if it is caught before it touches the ground she is out; if the wicket is knocked down by a bowled ball she is out. If she hits it safe she runs to the return crease and the other batsman runs to the opposite popping crease and a run is scored. If the hit is long enough the batsmen continue to run, and each time they exchange creases a run is counted. The fielders endeavor to get the ball and throw in to the wicket-keeper in order to knock off the bails before the batsman touches her bat to the ground within the crease. When the bail is knocked off in this manner the batsman is out. When a batsman is out for any cause she is retired for the inning, and the side is retired when ten of the eleven strikers are declared out.

Usually in the matches for girls only one inning for each team is played, although the rules call for two and three-day matches. The game affords ample opportunity for outdoor exercise and muscular activity. For a full description, see Spalding’s “How to Play Cricket.”