Mount Ball

Source: Games For The Playground, Home, School And Gymnasium
Category: BALL GAMES



_10 to 100 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Basket ball; hand ball._

This is a game of ball played by half of the players while mounted on
the backs of the other players. It is therefore desirable that the
players be paired off so that the two in each pair should be of nearly
equal weight and size.

The players form a circle in pairs. To do this they line up two
abreast, each with his selected partner. This double line then marches
in circle, halts, and faces inward. This will form two concentric
circles. There should be considerable space between couples; in other
words, the circle should be rather large in comparison with the number
of players. It is then decided by a toss-up or otherwise which of the
two circles shall first be "ponies" and which shall be riders. The
ponies bend forward from the hips, pressing their hands against the
knees, or thighs just above the knees. The knees should be stiff, not
bent. The backs are thus bent forward and the riders mount, straddling
the shoulders of the players who are ponies.

The ball is put in play by being tossed from any player to another,
and the game consists on the part of the riders in trying to keep the
ball in as active play as possible in a simple game of toss and catch,
and on the part of the ponies in trying to prevent the catching of the
ball. To do this the ponies must grow restive and turn around in any
way they see fit, but must not lose their general places in the
circle.

When a rider fails to catch a ball, all of the riders must at once
dismount and run in any direction; the pony belonging to the rider
who missed the ball picks up the ball immediately, and as soon as he
has it calls "Halt!" All of the riders must then stand still, and the
player who holds the ball tries to hit his recent rider. The rider
aimed at may try to evade the ball by stooping or jumping, but must
not otherwise leave his place on the floor. During this part of the
play the other ponies remain in their position in the circle, so that
the one who is throwing the ball will not confuse them with the
riders. If the player (pony) who throws the ball at his dismounted
rider succeeds in hitting him, all of the ponies and riders exchange
places, the riders becoming ponies and the former ponies mounting
them. If the player aiming the ball at his dismounted rider does not
succeed in hitting him, the riders remount and the game goes on as
before.

It is not permissible for a rider to hold a ball at any time, no
matter how difficult his position at the moment may be; he must toss
it at once. It is well to have a leader, whether one of the players or
not, who watches for mistakes, gives the commands to mount and
dismount, and announces misses and hits.

This game was played by the ancient Greeks, and is found in
various forms in many countries. It is needless to say that it
is one of the more strenuous games. When properly played it
contains great sport.


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