ng usually from the infrequency with which each player
gets an opportunity to participate. The ultimate test of any game,
however, from the recreative standpoint must be one of interest, and
this is often found among players who are not participating in the
action if competition be close. A teacher should watch closely for
waning interest, and may often save the situation by dividing the
players into two or more groups. Many games that are commonly listed
for as many as sixty players are given in the present index as useful
for "thirty or more." By this is meant that the best playing values of
the game are lost when played by more than thirty, although it is
possible to use the game with a larger number. Very frequently even
these games are far better played by smaller groups.

A resourceful teacher will find many ways of adapting games to large
numbers. Among such devices may be mentioned (1) increasing the number
of runners and chasers; for instance, in the game of Cat and Rat,
there may be several cats and several rats; (2) in the circle games of
simple character, especially the singing games, the circle may be
duplicated, thus having two concentric circles, one within the other;
(3) in many ball games it will be found possible to put more than one
ball in play, as in Bombardment or Circle Club Bowls. Such suggestions
as this are often made in the present volume in connection with the
description of the games.

Group play, by which is meant the division of a large number of
players into smaller squads or groups, is undoubtedly the best method
for getting the best sport and the greatest playing values out of most
games. Such a division of players is not always an easy matter to
inaugurate, untrained players being inclined to follow the teacher
from point to point in the playground. This may be obviated by
appointing group leaders, each of whom should understand the game to
be played and be appointed to take charge of it. Older children, and
almost invariably the children who are disorderly or inclined to
disturb the general harmony and discipline of the playground, are the
best ones to charge with such responsibility. This method serves the
double purpose of quelling their disorderly propensities by occupying
them in a position of responsibility, and takes care of a group of
players at the same time. When the group method is used in schools, it
is advisable to appoint the leaders of the groups, or allow the
children