their
neighbors.

CONCENTRIC CIRCLES.--Where players are to be placed in two circles,
one within the other, as in Three Deep, Zigzag Ball, or some of the
singing games for large numbers, players should march in a column of
twos (two by two), and the leaders should describe a circle until the
ends meet. All then face inward.

Another method of forming concentric circles is to form a single
circle, and have every alternate player step inwards. Or the players
may number off by twos, and those bearing the odd (or even) numbers
take one or two steps toward the center of the circle. All
numbering-off methods, however, are comparatively slow.

OPPOSING TEAMS OR LINES.--For assigning large numbers of players
quickly in opposing teams or lines, the following methods are among
the most orderly:--

I. The players "fall in" for a march in single file. They march up the
center of the room or ground; the first player turns to the right and
the next to the left, and so on alternately, taking stations at the
sides of the ground; they are thus separated into two opposing groups,
those which turn to the right forming one group or team, and those to
the left another.

This method is even quicker if players march in columns of twos or
fours, alternate ranks turning to alternate sides.

II. Players may be required to march in columns of twos (two abreast),
halt, and those in one file of the column step to one side of the
playground instead of marching to the front and separating, as in I,
and those in the other file to the opposite side.

_Where an even division of running ability, or height for catching
balls, is necessary, players should be sized when lining up for either
of the above methods._

III. When players in a gymnasium or playground have already been
numbered for gymnastic purposes, the odd numbers may be directed to
one end of the playground to form one team, and the even numbers to
the opposite end for the other team.

GROUP FORMATIONS.--To get players into many small groups, a division
may often best be made from the marching formations. Players may be
brought for this purpose into columns of four or more (marching four
abreast), halted, and each file in turn directed to some particular
location in the playground.

Where time is not a consideration, or the number of players is
smaller, more deliberate methods of counting out, choosing sides,
etc., may be used, described in the chapter on "Counting out."