A team consists of three players two of whom stand a long throwing distance apart (thirty yards or more) with the third player (Number One) halfway between and on a line with them. Number One (the pitcher) starts the game on a signal by throwing the ball to one of the end players (Number Two) he throws it over the head of the pitcher to the opposite end player (Number Three) who throws it back again to Number Two and he makes the last throw sending it to the center player or pitcher Number One from whom it started. This is called one trip and the pitcher as he catches it calls out “One ” or “One trip ” and immediately begins the next round. The players standing in the following order 2 1 3 the order of the throwing is thus 1 2 3 2 1. Ten trips complete a game.

The competing teams stand in line sideways with the first team and the pitchers of all teams start at once on a signal. The team wins which first completes ten trips. Any number of teams may play at once.

The sport of the game consists in sudden changes in the direction of the aisles brought about by one player who is chosen as leader and stands aside giving the commands “Right face ” or “Left face ” at his discretion. When one of these commands is heard all of the players standing in the ranks drop hands face in the direction indicated and quickly clasp hands with the players who are then their neighbors on the right and left. This brings about a change of direction in the aisles and therefore necessitates a change of direction in the course of the two who are running.

The success of the game depends largely upon the judgment of the leader in giving the commands “Right (or left) face ” They should be given quickly and repeatedly the leader often choosing a moment when the pursuer seems just about to touch his victim when the sudden obstruction put in his way by the change in the position of the ranks makes necessary a sudden change of direction on his part. The play continues until the chaser catches his victim or until a time limit has expired. In either case two new players are then chosen from the ranks to take the places of the first runners.

It is a foul to break through the ranks or to tag across the clasped hands.

Here we come gathering nuts in May
Nuts in May nuts in May.
Here we come gathering nuts in May
On a cold and frosty morning.

Whom will you have for nuts in May
Nuts in May nuts in May
Whom will you have for nuts in May
On a cold and frosty morning

Well have (Mary) for nuts in May
Nuts in May nuts in May
Well have (Mary) for nuts in May
On a cold and frosty morning.

Whom will you send to fetch her away
To fetch her away to fetch her away
Whom will you send to fetch her away
On a cold and frosty morning

Well send (Alice) to fetch her away
To fetch her away to fetch her away.
Well send (Alice) to fetch her away
On a cold and frosty morning.

The players stand in two lines facing each other and holding hands with a wide space between which will admit of advancing toward each other and retreating. The first line sings the first verse advancing toward its opponents and retreating. The second line then advances and retreats and sings the second verse. The first line again advances and retreats singing the third verse naming some player who stands in the opposing line. The second line unwilling to yield a player so easily then advances and retires singing the fourth verse in which it suggests that some one be sent to take the one who has been selected for “nuts ” and the first line then advances and retires singing the last verse in which it names some player from its own side whom it considers a good match for the player whom it has called from the opposite side.

The lines then stand still while these two players advance to the center draw a mark on the ground or throw a handkerchief down to serve the purpose take hold of right hands across the line and have a tug of war. The player who is pulled across the line becomes the captured “nut” and joins the side of her captors. The game is then repeated with the change that the lines of players sing the verses that were sung by their opponents the previous time the second line of players starting with the first verse. This should be continued until all of the players have taken part in the tug of war. The line wins which gets the most “nuts.”

For large numbers of players instead of a tug of war between two players only the two lines may advance each player joining hands with the one opposite and all taking part in the tug of war. Still another method is to have the two players who are named join hands with the players of their respective sides all lined up behind them for a tug of war as in London Bridge.