The interest may be increased by calling the race an international one the teacher providing small flags of different nations or the children may cut and paint these of paper. The first child in each row chooses the country he will represent by the selection of a flag at the beginning of the game. This he places on the rear desk and it is held aloft by the last player when he regains his seat indicating that his country has come in first second etc. in the automobile race.

At a signal the next row of players take each a club and return it to one of the crosses returning for another etc. until all are placed. The next runners return the clubs to the circle and so on until each player in the files has taken part. The file wins whose last player is first to get back to the starting line after placing the last club. In case of a tie the last three players from the tied files may be required to repeat the play.

This is one of the best games for training in self-control and a teacher should strictly enforce the rules. Any player starting over the line before the signal or standing with the foot beyond it before starting should go back and start over again. Whenever a club falls down or is not placed on the cross or in the circle the player who placed it must go back and stand it upright or it counts as a foul.

GROUND.–The playground or court should measure about forty by forty feet in outside dimensions the basket ball goals being placed at the usual height (ten feet) on opposite sides of the court. One basket belongs to each team. For instance the teams are designated as Red and Blue one basket belongs to the Red team and the other to the Blue team. The ground is then further divided into nine even squares. This may be done in any of the usual lining methods as described on page 301. The small squares are numbered in consecutive order around the outside starting in one corner the ninth one is in the center. When players are learning the game it may be advisable to mark these numbers on the ground but for players familiar with the game this may be dispensed with.

TEAMS.–While from eighteen to sixty players may play this game at once eighteen makes the best playing number. Where there is a larger number it may be found best to divide them into two sets each set to play for ten minutes and then give place to the other and so on alternately.

The players are divided into two teams each with a captain. The teams are chosen by the following method

The players are lined up according to height and either by marching (one to the right and one to the left) or by numbering off (the even numbers stepping out of the line) are divided into two files standing side by side. Each file constitutes a team and each member of a team is paired off with the opponent standing in the file beside him. By this method the two opponents forming a couple are of practically equal height.

The couples are numbered as they pair off the number indicating to which court they shall go for the opening of the game. Thus couple Number One will go to the small court marked 1 couple Number Two to the court marked 2 etc. Should there be more than nine couples the tenth couple will go to court number 1 the next couple to court number 2 etc. Usually only one or two couples go to each small court but sometimes three or four couples must be so assigned to accommodate a large number of players. Where there are so many however it will be found best to divide the number into halves one half playing at a time as previously mentioned. Should there be an odd player (without a partner) he is placed in the center court (number nine) and remains there throughout the game. A good leader however will see that some player changes off with this odd individual during the game.

It will thus be seen that each court contains an equal number of players of each team. For instance if there be but two players in a court one of them belongs to the Red team and the other to the Blue team. If there be four players in the court two of these belong to the Red team and two to the Blue team etc.

OBJECTS OF THE GAME.–The objects of the game for each team are (1) to throw the ball into its own basket this may be done from any court in the diagram and (2) to prevent the opponents from putting the ball into their basket.

One of the marked characteristics of this game is the constant change or progression in the position of players as every time that a goal is made with the ball the players all move to the next square or small court. This is done in order to give each player an opportunity to play from all positions on the field. This makes all-round players and gives the retiring less aggressive ones a fair share of the play. It also prevents certain players having the most desirable positions throughout the game.

START.–The game is started by the teacher or referee tossing the ball in the air between two opposing players in court nine each facing his own basket. Each player tries to send the ball toward his own basket others playing upon the ball immediately.

RULES AND POINTS OF PLAY.–The ball may be thrown for a basket from any of the courts. In other words it is not necessary for the ball to be passed to a player in court two to be thrown for the red basket or to court six in order to be thrown to the blue basket though that may be a desirable play. Experience has shown however that when a player on the Blue team is standing in one of the courts farthest away even in court two it is not usually wise to throw to court six by way of the center (court nine) as too much massing of players results. The Blue team player in court two will often find it better to throw the ball to a player of this team in court one or three and so on around the outer edge to court six although there is no rule to prevent throwing the ball wherever a player pleases. As a general rule the more zigzag the path of the ball the more open the game. Short passes make a better game than long ones.

Players must remain in their own small courts except when progressing. It is optional however whether any penalty shall be attached to momentary stepping over the lines between small courts in the excitement of rapid catching and passing. This point should be decided before the game opens and would probably be used only with experienced players. No player may step over the outer boundary lines except to get the ball when it goes afield. A throw for a basket made with even one foot outside of the outer boundary lines is a foul.

Guarding is done by holding the hands or arms over the opponents ball to hinder the aim but neither the ball nor the holder of it may be touched. Only one player is allowed to guard a thrower no matter how many players may be in the small court where the thrower stands. The two opponents who first pair off at the opening of the game when places are assigned act thereafter as guards one to the other no other players being allowed to fill that office.

When two players have possession of a ball the one who touched it first has the right to it. If this cannot be decided instantly the ball is thrown up between them as at the start of the game the nearest player tossing it. For a good game this rule should be strictly enforced no discussion over the possession of a ball being allowed.

When the ball goes outside of the outer boundaries of the court only one player may go after it. All of the players in the small court through which it left this boundary may start for it but the first one over the line continues and secures the ball. Players from other courts may not try to get a ball that thus goes afield. When a ball has gone afield the player picking it up must throw it from the point where it is picked up to any court player. No running or walking with the ball is allowed in thus returning the ball to the courts.

In playing on the ball no player is allowed to hold the ball or to run or walk with it. A player may turn around quickly with the ball but must throw it at once. A player transgressing these rules must give the ball to his opponents–that is to the opponent who has been paired off with him.

FOULS.–No scoring is made on the fouls. Transgression of any of the rules given above is punished by giving the ball to the opponents the transgressor in each case giving it to the opponent paired off with him.

SCORE.–A team scores one point each time that it makes a goal. The game is played on time limits the team winning which has the highest score at the end. Where a large number of players is divided into two parties to take turns at playing the time limits for each are generally ten minutes with such rest intervals the two parties may play indefinitely. Where all of the players are engaged in one game the period may be anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes.