Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium Part 78

I. HAND BALL DRILL (ELEMENTARY)

A. BOUNDING

INDIVIDUAL PLAY

1. Bound, and catch with both hands, palms _upward_.

2. Bound, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palm _upward_.

3. Bound, hit to rebound once, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palm _upward_.

4. Bound, and catch with one hand (right, then left), the palm _downward_ in catching ("dog snack").

5. Bound, hit to rebound twice, or more times, and catch with one hand (right, then left).

WITH PARTNERS

(If there be many players they may stand in long ranks facing each other for these drills, or in separate couples scattered promiscuously over the ground. In either case they should begin with a comparatively short distance, say of three feet, between partners, and gradually increase the distance.)

1. Bound to partner, who will catch with both hands.

2. Bound to partner, who will catch with one hand (right, then left), palm _upward_.

3. Bound to partner, who will catch with one hand (right, then left), palm _downward_.

4. Bound to partner, who will return ball by hitting it for a rebound without catching it. This may be kept up between the two indefinitely.

B. TOSSING

INDIVIDUAL PLAY

1. Toss, and catch ball with both hands.

2. Toss, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palm _upward_.

3. Toss, and hit it to retoss in the air without catching (right hand, then left), palm _upward_.

WITH PARTNERS

1. Toss ball to partner, who will catch with both hands.

2. Toss ball to partner, who will catch with one hand (right, then left), palm _upward_.

3. Toss ball to partner, who will catch with one hand (right, then left), palm _outward_ ("dog snack").

C. BOUNDING AGAINST WALL

INDIVIDUAL PLAY

1. Throw ball upward against a wall, allow it to bound once, and catch with both hands.

2. Throw ball against wall, bound once, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palm _upward_.

3. Throw against wall, bound once, and catch with one hand (right, then left), palm _downward_.

4. Throw against wall and catch without bounding on the ground with one hand (right, then left), palm _upward_.

5. Throw, and catch without bounding on ground, with one hand (right, then left), palm _outward_.

WITH PARTNERS

1. Repeat the above throws against the wall, the partner catching in each case as designated in the list.

II. HAND BALL DRILL (ADVANCED)

A. TOSSING

INDIVIDUAL PLAY

1. Toss or throw the ball straight upward as high as possible; catch it in one hand (right, then left), with palm _upward_.

2. Toss or throw the ball straight upward as high as possible; catch it in one hand (right, then left), palm _outward_ ("dog snack").

3. Hold out one arm, say the left, straight in front at shoulder level; holding the ball in the right hand, swing the right arm outward in a full circle; toss the ball upward from under the outstretched arm, and catch with the hand that threw, palm _outward_.

4. Repeat this throwing with the left hand, holding out the right.

5. Toss the ball sideways over one's own head, and catch on the opposite side. This is done as follows: Holding the ball in the right hand, swing the right arm out sideways, and from about shoulder level toss the ball over the head toward the left side. Catch it on the left side near shoulder level with the left hand, palm upward or outward.

6. Reverse, tossing from the left hand and catching with the right.

7. Toss the ball under the upraised knee as follows: Holding the ball in the right hand, raise the right knee upward, bent at an angle, swing the right arm in circle outward, and toss the ball upward from under the knee; that is, from the inner side of the leg; catch with the hand that threw, palm _outward_. Repeat with the left hand and knee.

8. Throw the ball upward behind the back, so that it comes forward over the opposite shoulder, as follows: Holding the ball in the right hand, circle the right arm outward, bend the arm behind the back, toss the ball upward over the left shoulder, and catch it over the head or in front with the hand that threw, palm outward. Reverse, using the left arm and throwing over the right shoulder. When this is first tried the ball may not be thrown very high or very well as to direction; but it is a fascinating throw to practice and may soon be done with a high toss and very accurately.

HAND FOOTBALL

_10 to 30 or more players._