Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium Part 74

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Soft hand ball._

The players scatter over the playground, trying to get as far away as possible from the one who has the ball. He throws it at one of the players, trying to hit him with it, at the same time calling "Crackabout!" All of the players make a rush for the ball, the one who succeeds in getting it being the next thrower. The other players scatter immediately that one has secured it, the ball man at once throwing at some other player, naturally trying to hit the nearest. As soon as the players hear his call of "Crackabout!" they rush together again in the direction of the ball to try and secure it, and so on indefinitely. The game is thus a rapid succession of running away from the ball man and scrimmages to secure the ball. It is one of the strenuous and popular games enjoyed by boys of almost any age, and affords some lively exercise and sport in a few minutes.

CURTAIN BALL

_10 to 100 players._

_Gymnasium; playground._

_Basket ball; volley ball._

This is one of the most interesting ball games and is adaptable to many conditions. For instance, where a curtain cannot be conveniently hung, the game may be played over a high fence or hedge.

The game consists in throwing a ball backward and forward over a curtain which conceals the opposing players from each other. As the ball should not be allowed to touch the ground, scoring for the opponents whenever it does so, the players have to be very alert, and there is opportunity for much sport in the game. For a very large number of players, more than one ball may be used.

GROUND.--No outside boundaries are necessary for this game. The ground should be divided into two approximately equal parts by an opaque curtain eight feet in height, strung on a rope or wire carried across from side supports. This should touch the ground, so that there is no means of seeing the position of the opposing players on the other side. As stated above, the game may be played across a high fence or hedge instead of over a curtain.

PLAYERS.--The players are divided into two parties of equal number.

There is no regular formation or disposition of the players over the ground. Each party should select an umpire, whose duty it is to stand at one end of the curtain on the opponents' side, where he can watch the opponents and keep score.

RULES.--The ball is thrown back and forth from one side to the other over the curtain, and should be caught before it can touch the floor.

Players will try to deceive their opponents as to the point where the ball is to cross the curtain, and the more rapid the play is the more alert the players will have to be. The great sport of the game consists in the unexpectedness with which the ball may appear at any given point.

SCORE.--Opponents score one point whenever the ball touches the ground. The side wins which first scores twenty-one points.

This game was originated by Dr. Dudley A. Sargent.

DEAD BALL

_10 to 60 players._

_Schoolroom._

_Gas ball; bean bags._

This game may be played with b.a.l.l.s or bean bags. If with b.a.l.l.s, a light gas ball is preferable, as for all schoolroom games. From one to three b.a.l.l.s or bags will be needed for the game. If the cla.s.s is a large one, only half the pupils should play at a time; if a small cla.s.s, all may play at once. The players stand in the aisles or between the seats and desks, and should be scattered around the schoolroom.

The teacher puts the b.a.l.l.s in play by tossing them one at a time upward, so they will land in different directions in the room. The players, as opportunity avails, without leaving their places on the floor, try to catch a ball and toss it in the same way to some other player. It is not permissible to throw the ball at another player; it must always be tossed in the air. Any player who does not catch the ball, but instead is touched by it, is "dead" (out of the game), and must sit down. Each player tosses the ball upward in some new direction as soon as he receives it. This play continues until only one player remains standing, who is considered the winner.

DODGEBALL

This is one of the most popular gymnasium or playground games.

It is here described first for an informal game; then in three forms for an athletic contest, the latter as developed by Mr.

William A. Stecher; and lastly, for use in the schoolroom.

Forms II, III, and IV are for match games.

I. Dodgeball (informal; players not in teams).

II. Circle Dodgeball (one team forming a circle, the other team standing within).

III. Double Dodgeball (two teams in a three-court field).

IV. Progressive Dodgeball (three teams in a three-court field, changing courts at the end of each inning).

V. Schoolroom Dodgeball.

DODGEBALL

(Informal)

_10 to 60 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Basket ball._

This game is a very popular gymnasium or playground game. An informal mode of play is here described. For match games between competing teams more strict athletic procedure is necessary, and three such forms of the game follow.

The players are divided into two even groups. One group forms a circle (this need not be marked on the ground). The larger the circle the more sport in the game. The other group stands within the circle, scattered promiscuously. The object of the game is for the circle men to hit the center men with a basket ball, the center men dodging to evade this. They may jump, stoop, or resort to any means of dodging except leaving the ring. Any player hit on any part of his person at once joins the circle men. The last player to remain in the center is considered the winner. The groups as originally const.i.tuted then change places for the next game, the center men becoming circle players and the circle men going to the center.

There is no retaliatory play of the ball by the center players; they merely dodge it. The ball is returned to the circle either by a toss from a center man or by a circle man stepping in for it if it should not roll or bound within reach. When two center men are hit by one throw of the ball, only the first one hit leaves the center.

CIRCLE DODGEBALL

_10 to 60 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Basket ball._

GROUND.--A circle is drawn on the ground. For practice play, a temporary marking may most quickly be made by the players forming a circle, dropping hands, and each player then marking the arc of the circle in front of himself, joining it to those of the adjacent players. For match games the circle should be marked in advance and should be accurate, and measure thirty-five feet in diameter.