Girls and Athletics / Giving a brief summary of the activity, rules and method of administration of the following games in girls' schools and colleges, women's clubs, etc.: archery, basket ball, cricket, fencing, field day, field hockey, gymnastics, golf, hand ball, ice hockey, indoor base ball, rowing, soccer, skating, swimming, tennis, track athletics, volley ball, walking, water polo, water basket ball.

Field Hockey

Field hockey, next to basket ball, is the most popular team game played by girls; and it is a comparatively new game here, as it has been played in America only since 1901. Miss Harriet Ballintine, Director of Physical Training at Vassar College, in her pamphlet, “The History of Physical Training at Vassar College,” gives an account of the beginning of hockey in America: “Until 1901, English field hockey was comparatively unknown in this country. Before this it had been played by men at the Springfield Training School, and to some extent at Mount Holyoke College. Dr. J. H. McCurdy of the Springfield School in writing of the game says: ‘The men at Springfield first played the game of field hockey in 1897. Regarding where field hockey was first played in this country (by girls), the girls at Mount Holyoke College had begun playing the game, I think, before Miss Applebee’s arrival in this country. They had been down to a number of our championship games. Arrangements had been made for some of our students to coach the Mount Holyoke girls in hockey, when I found Miss Applebee was in this country and recommended their getting her.’”

Many hockey players owe their interest in the game to Miss Applebee, notable for her inspiring coaching and the knowledge of hockey that she has imparted to her pupils.

To the devotees of this game, there is no other sport that quite comes up to it. In a game of hockey there is a spirit of freedom, of exhilaration, of gladness that comes from a true love of sport. And it has other advantages—absence of roughness, plenty of vigorous exercise in the open air, and yet not extraordinarily violent. It is a game that may be played by all types; a game that is played by a large number on each team.

The Game.

Hockey is played on a level field of turf similar to a football or lacrosse field. There are eleven players on each team, thus there are twenty-two players on the field at one time. Each player is equipped with a stick with a curved head. A cricket ball is used. The eleven players are divided into groups: forwards, halfbacks, fullbacks and goal. Each group calls for a different type of player. The teams line up (according to illustration) in the center of the field. The forwards are the attackers, whose duty it is to advance the ball into their opponents’ territory and score a goal (Rule II). The halfbacks assist the forwards in attacking and with the fullbacks and goal keeper defend their own goal.

The umpire blows the whistle and the game begins with the two center forwards bullying. The ball has been placed in the middle of center line, the center forwards stand with one foot on each side of center line directly opposite each other, right shoulder toward their own goal. (See Rule for Bully.) After the bully is completed, the ball hit out, then play commences. The forwards of the team in possession of the ball rush it down toward the opponents’ goal and try to shoot a goal while the opposing defense tries to prevent any score. Each time the ball is fairly hit over the goal line, one point is made by team scoring goal. Two halves, length of which is agreed upon by captains, are played. The team scoring the greatest number of goals by the end of second half wins the game.

The Team as a Whole.

The main factor in hockey is team play. There may be one or two players of stellar ability on the team, but if the team does not play well together it is not well balanced. It is not an individual but eleven individuals welded together that form a team. Every girl should consider—when playing hockey—that her stick is her best friend; therefore it should be chosen carefully and with due consideration. There are three important qualities a stick should have: balance, weight and length. The balance should be even, not in the handle, but more in the curved head of stick; not too heavy there however. The weight of the stick should be 21 or 22 ounces for a forward, 23 or 24 for a halfback, 24 or 25 for a fullback or goal keeper. Never carry a stick that is too heavy. The stick should be just long enough for a comfortable grip. It should be neither too long nor too short.

How to Hold Stick.

The stick should be firmly held in both hands, with the left hand gripping the handle at the end (top) of stick with the fingers forward; the right hand grips the stick directly below the left hand, touching but not overlapping the left hand. The hands should never be separated because this tends to make a player stoop over, thus losing in strength of stroke. At the beginning of the stroke, the stick should be carried back toward the right (the right arm must be kept straight to avoid “sticks”—a foul, see Rule III) until the left arm is straight; then the stick should be carried forward, striking ball squarely. At the finish of the stroke, the right arm should still be kept straight and the end of stick turned in (i.e., toward body) and down to avoid making “sticks” at end of stroke.

While the stick is not in use or while player is running it should be carried in both hands horizontally at comfortable height, as long as it is below the shoulder.

Let us consider the forward line. It is made up of five positions: left wing, left inside, center forward, right inside, right wing. Players for these positions should be selected for the following qualifications: ability to run with average speed; ability to shoot hard, clean goals; endurance and wind necessary for constant sprints. It is up to the forwards to keep the ball in the opponents’ territory; for this, there are two ways of advancing the ball—passing and dribbling.

Passing.

Passing, since it is less individual and makes for more team play, should be ranked first. There are short and long passes. The short are generally quick passes between a forward and her nearest teammate, that is, between an inside and center or between an inside and wing. The long pass is across the center from the left side of the field to the right, or vice versa. All passes should be quick, clean and accurate. Here are a few things to avoid: Don’t pass the ball straight ahead so that it goes to one of opposing team. Don’t pass behind your own forward line. Don’t pass to a guarded player. Don’t wait to pass until you have been attacked, thus hurrying your pass. Don’t (especially when passing to the wings) put all your strength in the stroke, sending the hardest ball you can.

Dribbling.

Next to passing comes dribbling. Every forward should know how to dribble. In dribbling the ball, both hands should be kept close together at the top of the stick; the stick is sometimes turned so that the flat side is forward; the wrist and hands are adjusted to any position of the stick. Only a few players are skilled enough to dribble with one hand. The ball should be kept close to the stick, slightly in advance of the runner. The most common fault is that the dribbler follows the ball instead of sending the ball just where she desires. The player who is a good dribbler keeps the ball under control, no matter how speedily she is running. If the ball is sent ahead too far then the dribbler is apt to lose control, but if it is kept close to the stick and just barely touched each time it is easier to manage. The dribbler should remember: never crouch over the ball, but stand erect; never let the ball get too far ahead; never permit an opponent to get so close that you cannot pass the ball to a teammate quickly. Never keep the ball selfishly.

The Bully.

The forwards are called on frequently to bully—the start and twenty-five-yard bully (see Rule I)—so the bully should be practised until each forward is quick and accurate. There should be an understanding among the forwards and halfbacks as to which way the ball will be hit out on the bully so that some one is always ready for it. The right hand should grip almost three-quarters way down the stick, the player then must bend over the stick. The feet are wide apart, planted firmly on the ground. (See Rule for Bully.) After the three separate “grounds and sticks” the ball is hit out. It is here that quickness and skill count. The halfbacks—one from each team—always back up a bully to help their forwards.

Shooting Goals.

It is not necessary to say that it is most important for a forward to shoot goals. She should shoot as often, as hard and as accurately as she can, and she must follow her shots in. This is her main duty and no forward is up to the mark unless she can shoot goals.

Center Forward.

Center forward is the keystone position. Her duties are to bully off at the center (for start and after each goal), to keep the forwards in a straight line, to shoot goals, to distribute passes to the left and right sides evenly. If a center forward has a clear field it is all right for her to dribble, but, as a rule, she should play a passing game. She also has many opportunities to shoot.

Field Hockey—The bulley-off. The players are in position and the opposing center forwards are in the act of putting the ball in play.

Field Hockey—A corner. The defending team is lined up on the goal line. The attacking forwards are lined up along the striking circle, ready to return the hit and convert it into a goal.

Right Inside.

The right inside is governed by the same dribbling and passing rule as the center. She should be particular to receive the passes of the left wing. Also a lot of the shooting falls to her. Both insides should play close to the center if the center has the ball, or close to the wing if the wing has the ball.

Left Inside.

The left inside is a more difficult position to receive passes and to shoot from. It is often wiser for a left inside to allow a ball to go to another forward if she is not in a good position to receive it. As a rule, the best balls for her are from the right.

Right Wing.

The wings should be fast players. In particular, the right wing has a splendid opportunity for dribbling and passing. It is mainly the duty of the wings to advance the ball; if, however, the opportunity arises, they should shoot. The wing should be careful never to send the ball too far ahead; never to let a ball go outside the side lines if it is possible to stop it; never dribble farther than the twenty-five-yard line; always send the ball toward the center of the field.

Left Wing.

The left wing should be careful to dribble only when she has a clear field. In receiving a ball, the wing, if possible, should stand with her left shoulder toward the goal she is attacking. Three common faults of a left wing are: Letting the ball go out of bounds on her side too often, thus giving the other side a roll-in; getting into an off-side position; turning on the ball. (See Rules VII and IX.)

Halfbacks.

All of the halfback positions are extremely hard to play because they require great endurance, a moderate amount of speed, hard hitting, and a fighting spirit. The halfbacks are both attackers and defenders. First, in attacking they feed the forwards by passes to them. They should follow up the forward line closely and when the forwards are inside the circle should be ready to shoot if a chance comes. On the defensive they should stick to the opposing forwards closely. The fullbacks and halfbacks should work together on defense.

Center Halfback.

The center halfback backs up the bullies in the center of the field and she feeds primarily the center and insides. In defending she guards the opposing center forward and the insides if they are playing close to the center. The half should always watch to see which forwards are free. She should not send the ball to the spot from which it has just come, as that spot is apt to be guarded, but should change the direction.

Right Halfback.

The right halfback feeds the right wing and the right inside. If both of these are carefully guarded, then she should send ball to center or to the other side of field. In defense she guards the left wing or the left inside—if the inside is near the wing. She also backs up all the bullies on her side of the line.

Left Halfback.

The left halfback feeds the left wing and the left inside unless they are guarded, then she changes the direction of the ball. The left half should send very careful, well-placed balls to her wing and inside, balls that slant a little bit, not straight ahead. As the right wing is apt to dribble, the left half should be very quick and should be careful to avoid running in on the left. (Rule VIII.)

The halfbacks should remember: Never to give up; if your opponent gets away, run after her and stop her; never hit through the forward line, always hit the ball to somebody; never run out of position to tackle an opponent. Each half should stick closely to the girl she is guarding. Never interfere with the work of the fullback or the goal keeper.

Fullbacks.

The fullbacks are primarily defensive players although they have opportunities for long shots to the forwards. The fullbacks and the halfbacks should never mix up, by guarding the same girl. The fullbacks stay near their own goal. If the right half is guarding the left wing and the center half the center forward, then the left inside remains for the right fullback to guard. When one fullback is up the field, that is, near the fifty-yard line (she must never go beyond the fifty-yard line), the other fullback should be back toward the goal. The players on the defense should never be bunched in front of the goal, and in hitting the ball away from the goal, they should hit out toward the side lines—never across the center. In a corner or a bully the fullbacks should guard the goal closely.

Goal Keeper.

The goal keeper should be very cool—not get rattled if a goal is made by the opposing side. It is well for the goal keeper to watch the eyes of the opposing forward; often in that way she can tell where the forward is going to shoot. The goal keeper should never be drawn away from her goal line. She should stand about a foot in front, but no farther away. Above all, the goal keeper should have courage; she should not step back from any ball, afraid to stop it.

Not only should she rely on her stick, but she should remember that she may kick and stop the ball with her body. The main object is to keep the ball out of the goal and get it in less dangerous territory. This often requires quick, clear thinking on the part of the goal keeper. The fullbacks should never leave the goal keeper alone and unprotected; nor should they stand so close to her, nor so directly in front of her, that they impede her playing or obstruct her view of the play. The goal keeper must never lose sight of the ball.

There are a few general directions that might be given for playing. Keep your own position—don’t run out of your place to interfere in someone else’s. Use your head—flighty playing merely ends in wildness and nothing accomplished. Save your strength—do not use it up in the first mad rushes and terrific hits. It is the consistent, steady, dependable player who wins the game.

A great deal of time is wasted in the roll-in, that is, when the ball is put in play after going over the side line. The team taking the roll-in should have signals, that is, an understanding as to the line-up. The halfback generally takes the roll-in unless the point where roll-in occurs is near the goal line being defended, then the roll-in is taken by the fullback. The ball should be sent to the person best prepared to receive it the wing if she is free or the inside or halfback; sometimes it even may be rolled back toward the fullback.

The opponents never leave any player unguarded. As soon as the roll-in is called, it should be taken quickly.

Just as quickness is an advantage in taking the roll-in so it is in the free hit. The halfback in whose territory the foul occurred should take the free hit quickly, before her teammates may be guarded. Every delay means that the opponents have an opportunity to guard more closely. In taking the free hit, be careful to hit to an unguarded player. Make the free hit count.

In the corner play the hit should be carefully taken by the halfback, or sometimes it is taken by the wing. The attackers line up around the edge of the striking circle ready to stop the ball and shoot for the goal; the defenders are behind the line ready to rush out and get the ball away from dangerous territory. The player taking the free hit should be careful that the ball goes within the circle; that it is hit hard and cleanly—never send a ball that hops; that the ball is sent to a particular player, preferably the center forward or either of the insides. It is not often advisable for a wing to stop a ball hit in from the corner hit.

DIAGRAM OF FIELD WITH NECESSARY MARKINGS AND SHOWING THE PROPER LINE-UP OF TEAMS AT START OF GAME.

To decide a championship or the winner of a hockey tournament, it is advisable to play three games, the winner of two being the winner of the series. If one team wins the first two games it is unnecessary to play the third; if there are more than two teams contesting, it is advisable to have preliminary rounds, the winners meeting the winners, etc.

The Field of Play

The Field.

The dimensions of the field are: maximum length, 100 yards; minimum, 85 yards; maximum breadth, 60 yards; minimum, 55 yards. The field of play is marked by boundary lines; the end are “goal lines,” and the side, “side lines.” Flag posts, four feet in height, one yard outside the field of play, are placed at each of the four corners and at each end of the twenty-five-yard lines.

There are three lines across the field, i. e., parallel to the end lines, running from side line to side line—one in the center of field, the fifty-yard line; one at each end of the field, each twenty-five yards from the goal line.

The Goals.

The goals are marked by upright posts, equidistant from the corners of the goal lines, four yards apart, connected by a cross-bar seven feet from the ground. The space between the posts is known as the goal area. The maximum width of the posts and the cross-bars is two inches; the maximum depth, three inches. There is a goal at each end of the field.

The Striking Circle.

In front of each goal is a striking circle marked by the following lines: A line parallel to goal line, fifteen yards distant from, directly in front of the goal area, four yards in length. The ends of this line are joined to the goal line by a quarter circle fifteen yards in diameter measured from the nearest goal post.

A line parallel to the side line, five yards distant, is drawn the length of the field. This is called the alley.

It is important that the lines be distinctly marked in white. If there are nets behind the goal to catch balls, it aids the umpire in determining if a goal is scored. Goal posts and bar may be painted white. The ball is a leather cricket ball painted white.

Dress.

Bloomers and jumper are the most comfortable form of dress. If a skirt is worn it must be at least eight inches from the ground. Stopping the ball with the clothing is not good hockey. Light shoes with rubber soles, fitted for running, should be worn by the forwards and halves. Heavier shoes are worn by the fullbacks. The feet of the player ought to be well protected, in order that she may stop the ball with her feet. All players should wear shin-guards; the forwards and halves light ones, the fullbacks heavier. The goal keeper will find that the shin-guards used in cricket are not too heavy.

If a hat is worn, it should be without pins and must have a soft brim.

Many players prefer wearing gloves in order to protect their hands.

The Stick.

The stick should be a regulation stick, curved on one side, flat on the other. No stick must weigh more than 28 ounces.

Time.—The time of halves (usually 35 minutes) with the intermission should be determined by the captains.

Score.—Each goal made counts one point. Highest number of goals at end of game wins. There is no other score except by goals.

Officials.—There is an umpire, who makes all decisions of goals, fouls and disputes. She is responsible for the good conduct of the game. There may be an umpire for each half of the field. Also a scorer, a timekeeper and two linesmen, who call the ball out of bounds and give decisions when appealed to.

Each team has eleven players; for each side there is a captain, who tosses for choice of goal, protests to the umpire, governs the team on the field. They must notify the referee of any change of line-up.

Field Hockey Rules

I. Rules Governing Bully.

(a) The Bully is the method of putting the ball in play. A bully is played by two players, one from each team, who stand squarely opposite each other (each facing a side line), each with her right side toward her own goal. The ball is placed between them, each player having a foot on either side of the ball. Both first touch the ground on their right side of the ball, then they touch sticks. This is done alternately for three times, then either may touch the ball. After the ball is touched by either or both of the two players bullying it may be played by anyone.

(b) The game is started at the beginning of the first and second halves by a bully-off on the center line.

(d) The teams line up in a bully on the side nearest their goal line and never step over the line of the ball, i. e., an imaginary line, if ball is not on center or twenty-five-yard line drawn across field. This is known as standing behind the ball.

(e) After time-out is called, the ball is put in play again by bully on the spot where time-out is taken.

(f) If a foul is called on both teams, a bully is taken on the spot where the foul occurred.

(g) If any rules of bully are not observed, bully is taken over again.

(h) Penalty-Bully.—A penalty-bully can only occur when a defender inside the circle deliberately breaks a rule, thereby directly preventing a goal from being scored. The bully is played on the spot where foul occurred by goal keeper and a chosen player from the other team. All other players stand beyond the nearest twenty-five-yard line until the bully is completed. The bully is only completed when: First, a goal is scored; second, the ball is sent out of bounds by an attacker—if sent out by defender, penalty-bully is repeated; third, the ball is sent out of striking circle. In either of the first two cases the ball is put in play by a twenty-five-yard bully in the center of the nearest twenty-five-yard line. Any foul (except Rule I, a) by offender counts penalty goal or one point for opponents; any foul by attacker (except Rule I, a) the defender is given a free hit. The goal keeper in a penalty-bully may play only with the stick; she may not kick or stop ball with hands. If time is called, bully must first be completed.

II. Rules for Goal.

(a) To score a goal the ball must have been hit by or have touched the stick of an attacker within the striking circle.

(b) The ball must pass entirely over the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross-bar.

(c) If a ball, after touching the stick of an attacker within the circle, glances off the stick or person of a defender, it is a goal.

(d) If a ball hit fairly glances off a goal post across the goal line, it is a goal.

(e) The umpire must judge fairness of goal.

III. Rules for Sticks.

(a) The stick must never be raised above the shoulder in any part of the stroke while hitting the ball, nor may it be carried over shoulder. When this rule is broken within the striking circle by a defender, the penalty is a penalty-corner; if deliberately broken, it is a penalty-bully.

(b) The flat side, never the rounded, should be used in striking the ball.

(c) A player should never catch the curved part of her stick in that of her opponent’s, thereby hindering her opponent’s play. This is hooking.

(d) A player should never strike or hit her opponent’s stick.

(e) A player should never lift her opponent’s stick from the ground or in any such manner mar her stroke.

(f) A player should never trip an opponent with stick.

(g) No player without a stick may take part in play.

(h) For any infringement of rules, a free hit to opposing side where foul occurred is granted, unless referee deems the foul rough, thus liable to disqualification.

IV. Rules for Free Hit.

(a) When a team is accorded a free hit by an umpire, through a foul by opponents, the captain of the team shall designate the player (generally a halfback or fullback) who is to take the hit, and no other player may be nearer the player taking the hit than five yards. The ball must be hit squarely, not scooped. The free hit is taken again if this rule is not complied with.

(b) The player who has taken the free hit may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

(d) If the player misses the ball entirely upon taking the free hit, she may hit it again.

(e) If there is any infringement of the rule, the free hit is given to the other side except when the ball is scooped by the defender inside the circle, when the penalty is a penalty-corner.

V. Rules for Out of Bounds.

(a) When the ball is sent over the side lines it shall be rolled in (by hand) by one of the team opposing the player who last touched it. In rolling in, the player taking the roll-in must stand—feet and stick—outside the side line at the point where ball went out. No player may stand inside the alley (or five-yard line) next to the side line over which it went out. The ball must be rolled, not thrown or bounced. It may be rolled in any direction, provided it touches within the five-yard space. The player who has taken the roll-in may not touch the ball until it has been touched by another player. The other players may step in the alley as soon as ball touches.

(b) First, if the ball is sent behind the goal line by an attacker; second, if a ball is unintentionally sent behind goal line by a defender more than twenty-five yards away from her goal line, it is a twenty-five-yard bully. The ball is placed on the twenty-five-yard line, exactly opposite the spot where it crossed the goal line.

(c) If a ball is unintentionally hit across the goal line by a defender or glances off her stick over the goal line, it is a corner. In a corner, the attackers line up around the outer edge of the striking circle—feet and sticks—behind the line, with one of their team hitting the ball to them from the corner of the field (on the side or back line not more than three yards away from the corner) on the side of the goal line where ball went out. The defenders must stand—feet and sticks—behind their goal line at least five yards away from the player taking the corner hit. The defenders may rush out as soon as the ball is hit. Before the attackers may hit the ball toward the goal, the ball must be stopped—not necessarily dead. The player taking the corner hit may not hit the ball again until touched by another. (Penalty, free hit for opposing side.) If an attacker shoots for goal before ball has been stopped, it is a free hit for opposite side. If the player taking the corner hit misses it entirely on the first stroke, she may hit it again.

(d) If a ball is deliberately hit over goal line by a defender, it is a penalty-corner. Both teams line up as in an ordinary corner. The hit is taken, however, from a point on the goal line at least ten yards from the nearest goal post and no opposing player may be nearer than five yards. Ball must be stopped before replayed by attacker teammate unless it has been touched by defender.

VI. Rules for Undercutting.

(a) The ball may not be so hit that it is lofted or raised intentionally above the shoulder.

(b) The ball may be “scooped” so that it may be raised moderately in air.

VII. Rules for Offside.

(a) In the opponents’ territory, no player may receive a ball from one of her own team standing farther from the goal than she, the receiver, unless there are at least three of her opponents between her and the goal. Violation of this rule is called offside.

(b) A player is not penalized for offside if she does not touch the ball; if it was touched last by an opponent; if one of her own team nearer the opponents’ goal than she hits the ball; if she is in her own half of the territory.

VIII. Running in on the Left.

No player shall run in on the left side of her opponent in order to gain possession of the ball so that any part of her person or stick touches any part of the person or the stick of the opponent. Penalty is free hit for opposing side.

IX. Turning on the Ball.

No player having possession of the ball shall interpose her person between the ball and an opponent, nor shall she turn around the ball in order to obtain a more favorable position for her stroke. Penalty is free hit.

X. Handling.

The ball may be caught or stopped by the hands, but must be immediately dropped perpendicularly to the ground so that no advance is made nor direction changed. It may not be picked up, carried or thrown. There shall be no shoving, pushing, or holding. If the ball stopped by goal keeper rebounds from her hand it is not a foul. Penalty is free hit.

XI. Kicking.

No player may kick the ball except the goal keeper within her own striking circle. The foot may be used to stop the ball, but must be withdrawn and not used to block opponent’s stroke at the ball. Penalty is a free hit.

XII. Rough Play.

There should be no charging (rushing or running into), shinning, tripping, personal handling, impeding progress, or hitting with stick. No player may obstruct, i. e., prevent opponent from reaching the ball or prevent opponent from attacking teammate. Penalty is free hit or disqualification if umpire decides the play is rough.

XIII. Time-out.

Time-out may be called by the umpire at the request of either captain only in case of injury or accident to clothing or stick. Time-out should be called by umpire in case of loss of ball or dispute in regard to decision.

Field Hockey—1, A scrimmage for possession of the ball. 2, Getting the ball out of scrimmage. 3, Passing the ball to a teammate and away from an opponent. 4, A goal! 5, A shot. The attack has “run” the ball down the field to the striking circle—once inside the shot will be gotten off.

Basket Ball—1, The referee tosses the ball up between the opposing centers to put it in play. 2, A free trial for goal. A foul has been made and the penalized team must stand and see their opponents try for a single point.

XIV. Umpire.

The umpire, or umpires, have control of the game, and are responsible for it. They must see that there is no rough play, and that the game is played according to rules. The umpires judge goals, roll-ins, bullies, corners. They also have the power to punish players for intentionally delaying the game. The ball is in play until umpire’s whistle blows.

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