The San Francisco call., 1910-03-12
BY JOSEPH n. HICKEY
Secretary Public schools Athletic
League


-HE schoolyard will always be used
for general play but the advantage
of organized games over morgan
lied activities is admitted by all to
give the best results as the games
which are suited to schoolyard play
are many. Nearly all of the events
designated as track and field athletics
can be conducted in almost any school
yard, and the advantage to the pupil
of competing under proper rules must
appeal to all those interested. Athletics
in the school yards must from now on
be considered part of the curriculum,
for when properly conducted they mean
a great deal to the school. Owing to
the limited space in the majority or
schools the list of events mentioned as
suitable for such PURPOSES is modified,
but is sufficient to improve the athletic
ability of the children in the schools.
Proper organization of athletics in
school depends on the formation of an
association, to be named after the
school in which the organization is ef-
fected. Either the principal of the
school or one of the teachers assigned
for that purpose should preside over
the work and properly elected officials
II.
should be an organization in each class,
each class to have its track and field
captain. Such an arrangement calls for
many officials and is inclined to keep
the boys more interested. 1t is very
necessary that all class and school
athletic games be conducted according
to the laws of athletics. The pupils
must familiarize themselves with the
rules and have the doubtful points ex-
planned to them before each competi
ton In athletics there must be law
and order as in any other organization
where the interests of many individuals
are concerned, and only the recognition
of the correct way to perform will give
all fair chance.
The older pupils must be relied upon
to fill the official positions so that
when an athletic event is scheduled it
shall be properly conducted with the
regular number of officials. These Off
cials should study the rules and live up
to them. They must make it a point to
see that every pupil lis given a fair
show, that there is no favorite and that
every one is absolutely on an even
footing. 1t is a healthy condition if the
entire school can compete on basis OF
this kind and the best results are sure
to develop. AS it would be impossible
to contest all events included in track
and field list in one afternoon, two or
three events should be selected FOR Ger
tain afternoons or mornings, including
a variety, such as a relay race, jumping
event and shot putting contest. At
first it is advisable to have all the
events from scratch, and later, when
all have attained mark in their re-
spective contest handicap games can
be arranged. This latter feature gives
all who are not experts a chance to
take part with the more proficient boys
and stimulates sport.
To hold all the events in a school
yard on one afternoon is impossible
when the time is confined to an hour or
so, and such an effort would only bring
about disorganization. 1t is therefore
much better to have fixed list for each
day so as not to discourage the pupils
or tire out those who are helping the
cause of athletics in the schools by con-
tributing their time to it's advancement.
The following schedule is suggested:
Monday-40 yard dash, shot put; hop.
step and jump.
Tuesday-Shot put, hurdle race,
standing high jump.
Wednesday-PotAto race running
high jump, standing broad jump.