A series of holes is made in the ground sand or snow large enough to contain the ball. These holes are placed in a straight line one beyond the other about three feet apart there being as many holes as there are players. All holes are numbered corresponding to the numbers of the players from one to ten or whatever the maximum may be. About ten feet from the first hole and at right angles to the row a straight line is drawn on the ground behind which the players stand to throw. The first player stands directly in line with the row of holes and throws for one of them. This is a toss of the ball. The ball scores for the player according to the number of the hole in which it falls and this number also designates the next player. For instance if the ball falls in the third hole it scores three for the first player who at once gives place to Number Three who in turn has one throw. Should this ball fall in hole number five it scores five for this player and the fifth player will have the next turn. The game may be played according to score the one first scoring twenty-five or fifty winning or it may be played according to time the one having the highest score at the end of fifteen or twenty minutes being the winner.

This is one of the few games that may be adapted to the snow or to the damp sand of the seashore though it may be played anywhere out of doors where holes can be dug.

The game is a competition of skill rather than of speed. At a signal from the teacher the first pupil in each row stands places his toe even with the throwing line and tosses his bean bag toward the basket. If the bag goes into the basket it scores five. Should it lodge on the edge of the basket it scores three. Should it fall outside there is no score.

As soon as these first players have thrown they return to their seats and the second row across the room steps forward and throws. This is continued until each player has thrown and the line wins which has the highest score. There should be one score keeper for the entire game who should draw a diagram on the board in which to write the score.

The players are divided into two groups each group seated partly facing the other (indicated by arrows in the diagram) with a captain standing before each side.

The side starting the game is given a small ball of paper or worsted and at the command of the captain of the opposing side the players pass the ball rapidly from one to another. Each player makes the motion of passing so as to deceive the opposing group as to the whereabouts of the ball.

The captain and players of the opposing group meanwhile keep a sharp lookout for the ball without leaving their seats.

After a short time of passing the captain who started the passing (Group B diagram) calls suddenly “Hands up ” and immediately all passing in Group A must cease and all hands must be raised high overhead and tightly clinched so the player having the ball when the passing ceased may not disclose the fact.

The B captain again gives a sudden command of “Hands down ” Immediately all hands are brought down softly on the desk in front of each player of Group A hands wide open palms downward and again the player with the ball tries to hide it under his hand.

The players of Group B who think they know who has the ball raise their hands. No player may speak unless called by his captain. When called he may say “Under J.s right hand” (or left hand as the case may be). J. raises the right hand and if the guesser be mistaken places that hand in his lap it being thereafter out of commission so to speak. No other player of Group A moves a hand. Should the ball be found under the hand raised the opposing group i.e. Group B receives as many points as there are hands left upon the desks. Otherwise the search continues the captain of Group B asking players of his group to order a hand raised or orders it himself until the ball is discovered. Group B now takes the ball and passes it from one to another and Group A gives commands through its captain. The side making a score of three hundred points wins. A side loses ten points when a player talks or calls for a hand to be raised without the permission or call of the captain.

As soon as a player in the circle discovers that the handkerchief has been dropped behind him he must pick it up and as rapidly as possible chase the one who dropped it who may run around the outside of the circle or at any point through or across the circle his object being to reach the vacant place left by the one who is chasing him. The circle players should lift their hands to allow both runners to pass freely through the circle. Whichever player reaches the vacant place first stands there the one left out taking the handkerchief for the next game.

This is one of the oldest known games and is found throughout the world.