Basketball Games Pass Ball Relay
( Basketball, Choreographed, Relay Race )Any number of teams may compete but should contain an equal number of players. The teams line up in single file and the game consists in a competition between them in passing a basket ball backward overhead followed by a short run for each player in turn.
A starting line is drawn across the playing space behind which the teams line up. The players in a team must not stand close enough together to touch. An objective point or goal such as a basket is placed in front of each team at a good running distance –at least fifty or seventy-five feet if the space admits of it. On an athletic field a player not on the team may be stationed to serve as this objective point. Good form at the opening of the game calls for the teams to be lined up with the balls resting on the ground in front of the first players. On the starters signal “On your mark ” the first players toe the starting line with both feet on the next signal “Get ready ” they raise the balls overhead but not to be touched by the next players until put in play on the final signal. When the starter says “Go ” the first player hands the ball backward overhead to the next player and each one in turn passes it in a similar way down the line. When the last player receives the ball he runs forward with it around the goal returns and passes it to the player at the head of the line when it again travels backward to the rear as before. A returning player may hand the ball to the front player either facing him or turning with his back to him and passing the ball overhead but he may not toss it to him. A returning player takes his place at the head of the line toeing the line the file moving backward one step to make room for him. The original leader of the line will thus move gradually backward until he is at the rear of the file he will be the last runner forward and should be plainly marked with a sash diagonally across the breast to aid the judges in distinguishing him. When he receives the ball he runs forward with it around the goal like his predecessors but on his return instead of lining up and passing the ball backward dashes with it over the finish line. The finish line should be a tape (strand of worsted) stretched parallel with the starting line but three feet to the rear of the files. Should the playing space not admit of this the starting line may be used as a finish line.
Should the ball be dropped as it is passed down the line the player next behind the one who last touched it must leave his place in the line pick up the ball return and put it in play from where it left the line. If so rectified this dropping of the ball does not score as a foul.
There should be a judge of fouls for each team and two judges at the finish. One foul is scored against a team for–
1. Every player who does not touch the ball as it is passed backward.
2. Every player (except a returning player) who turns to face the next one and hand the ball instead of passing it backward overhead.
3. A returning player tossing the ball to the head of the file.
4. The head player standing forward of the starting line.
5. A runner touching the goal as he encircles it.
The teams win in the order of finishing if there be no fouls. One foul disqualifies a team unless the competing teams have made an equal or greater number of fouls. In such a case the teams win in the order of finishing plus consideration of the smallest record on fouls. A team finishing second for example with no fouls would win over a team finishing first with one or more fouls.