GIFT OF 
 
No. 103 
 
 Athletic Badge Test for Boys 
 
 Reprinted from The Playground 
 April. 1913 
 
 ~TN(M\^^^ 
 
 Pl ayground and Recreation Association of America 
 1 Madison Avenue, New York City 
 
 Price, Five Cents 
 
A Crouching Start 
 
 A Standing Start 
 
 
 
 Pui.1. Up (Chinning) 
 
 Standing Broad Jump 
 
The Athletic Badge Test for Boys 
 
 The Playground and Recreation Association of America has 
 adopted the following as standards which every boy ought to be 
 able to attain: 
 
 First Test 
 
 Pull Up (Chinning) 4 times 
 
 Standing Broad Jump 5 ft. 9 in. 
 
 60 Yards Dash 83-5 seconds 
 
 Second Test 
 
 Pull Up (Chinning) 6 times 
 
 Standing Broad Jump 6 ft. 6 in. 
 
 60 Yards Dash 8 seconds 
 
 or 100 Yards Dash 14 seconds 
 
 Third Test 
 
 Pull Up (Chinning) 9 times 
 
 Running High Jump 4 ft. 4 in. 
 
 220 Yards Run 28 seconds 
 
 As these standards have been tested in the pubHc schools of 
 several cities it has been found that boys of 12 years of age should 
 be able to qualify for the badge under the first test, elementary 
 school boys of 13 years and over for the second test, and high school 
 boys for the third test. It does not seem, how^ever, to those who 
 have had experience with this form of athletics, that the different 
 standards should be limited to these age groups. Accordingly no 
 age or even weight limit is fixed. Any boy may enter any test ai 
 any time. 
 
 Similar tests are now in use in many cites and in some country 
 districts. The Association has attempted through a committee 
 of experts* from different parts of the country to establish stand- 
 
 ♦Committee which fixed tests : George W. Ehler, Director, Department of Phys- 
 ical Education, University of Wisconsin. Madison, Wis., Chairman ; J. H. McCurdy, 
 International Y. M. C. A. Training College, Springfield, Mass. ; George J. Fisher, 
 Secretary of the Physical Department, International Committee, Y. M. C A., New 
 York City ; W. E. Meanwell, Director, Gymnasium, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 
 Wis. ;, Wm. A. Stecher. Secretary, Philadelphia Plaj'ground Association, Philadelphia, 
 Pa. ; E. B. DeGroot, Chicago Playground Association, Chicago, 111. 
 
 3 
 360482 
 
ards which would be simple, consist of events which are interesting, 
 and be generally acceptable. The tests require only simple appara- 
 tus, a comparatively small space. They can be conducted in a 
 short period of time even with a considerable number of boys, and 
 the measure of each boy's performance can be accurately deter- 
 mined. 
 
 Rules 
 
 The following general rules shall govern the final competition : 
 
 No boy is permitted to receive more than one badge in any one 
 year. 
 
 It is necessary to qualify in all three events in any one class 
 in order to win a badge. 
 
 There shall be but one trial in chinning, one in the dashes.. 
 and three in the jumps. 
 
 1. PuLi, Up (Chinning) 
 
 A portable chinning bar in a doorway, a horizontal bar in 
 the gymnasium or the rungs of a ladder set at an angle against 
 a building may serve the purpose. 
 
 Each contestant begins with his hands on the bar. Then 
 with his arms straightened at full length he pulls himself up with- 
 out a kick, snap, jerk, or swing, until his chin is above the bar. 
 Lowering himself again until his arms are straight, he repeats 
 the 'Tull Up." 
 
 2. Standing Broad Jump 
 
 Whenever possible it is best to prepare a jumping pit by dig- 
 ging up a piece of ground about 4 feet by 25 feet and have a wooden 
 or metal strip 2 inches by 4 inches imbedded in the ground at one 
 end of the pit flush with the surface, to serve as a "take off." It 
 is also well to mark off 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet 6 inches from the 
 "take off.'' Each competitor is allowed three jumps, his best 
 jump being taken as his record. 
 
 "The feet of the competitor may be placed in any position, but shall leave 
 the ground once only in making an attempt to jump. When the feet are lifted 
 from the ground twice, or two springs are made in making the attempt, it shall 
 count as a trial jump without result. A competitor may rock back and for- 
 ward, lifting heels and toes alternately from the ground, but may not lift 
 either foot clear of the ground, nor slide either foot along the ground in any 
 direction."* 
 
3. 6o Yards Dash, ioo Yards Dash and 220 Yards Run 
 A stop watch is necessary for timing the boys in this event. 
 Under the direction of a starter each individual competitor takes 
 his position on the starting mark. The starter gives the signal 
 by saying: "On the mark," "Get set," "Go." At the word "Go" 
 the time keeper starts his watch. As the runner crosses the finish 
 line (60 yards, 100 yards or 220 yards from the starting line), 
 the time keeper stops his watch. The time indicated on the stop 
 watch is the runner's time. 
 
 "A false start is one where any part of the person of a competitor 
 touches the ground in front of his mark before the starter purposely gives 
 his signal. The third false start shall disqualify the offender. The compet- 
 iior shall keep his hands behind the mark assigned to him."* 
 
 4. Running High Jump 
 
 "The bar shall be a thin stick and shall rest on pins which shall project 
 not more than three inches from the uprights. When this bar is removed, it 
 shall constitute a trial jump without result." 
 
 "The height shall be measured from the middle of the bar to the ground 
 on a direct line." 
 
 "Ea-ch boy shall be allov/ed three trial jumps at each height." 
 
 "Running under the bar in making an attempt to jump shall be counted 
 as a balk and three successive balks shall constitute a trial jump."* 
 
 The following order of events is suggested: pull up (chin- 
 ning), jumping, running. 
 
 Badges 
 
 The Hurdler 
 
 Designed by R. Tait McKenzie. M. D., University of Pennsylvania, 
 
 for the Playground and Recreation Association of America, 1912, 
 
 Copyright 1912 
 
 The following badges have been adopted for the three different 
 classes : 
 
 CopjTight 1912 CopjTight 1912 CopjTight 1912 
 
 First Test Second Test Third Test 
 
 The badge for the first test is distinguished by one star in the 
 space below the hurdler, the badge for the second test by two stars 
 
 ♦The rules quoted in the fine type are with slight adaptation the rules laid 
 down in the Official Handbook of the Public Schools Athletic League of New rork 
 City. 
 
below the hurdler, the badge for the third test by the Greek word 
 API2TON below the hurdler. All the badges are in bronze. The 
 feeling has been strong that the badges should be simple and beauti- 
 ful but should not in themselves have intrinsic value, that the value 
 should be in what the badge stands for. In designing this badge 
 for the boys of America Dr. RrTait McKenzie has rendered a large 
 service. 
 
 The Association recommends that each boy passing the tests 
 be allowed to pay for his own badge J«st as a young man or woman 
 at college elected to Phi Beta Kappa pays for the key awarded. 
 
 Prices 
 
 The price, postpaid, either singly or-^n quantity is twenty cents 
 each. J,.. 
 
 Ordering Badges, 
 
 Public schools, private schools, playgrpunds, evening recrea- 
 tion centers, settlements, church organizations, and other 
 organizations of good standing in any city, town, village or rural 
 community may use the tests adopted by the Association and 
 certify on blanks furnished by the Association, the names and 
 addresses of boys passing the tests, ordering the number of badges 
 of each kind required. 
 
 The American Committee on Athletic Standards for Boys 
 will pass on each list certified. If such Hst is accepted by the com- 
 mittee, the badges ordered will be forwarded on receipt of the 
 money for such badges. The Association will reserve the right 
 to test boys whose names have been sent in if in the judgment of 
 the Committee it seems desirable to do so. The Association will 
 expect those certifying these lists to exercise the greatest possible 
 care. The object in passing on each list is so far as possible to 
 make sure that badges shall go only to such boys as have passed 
 the tests required. 
 
 Presentation of Athletic Badges to Boys 
 
 The Association suggests that the presentation of the badges 
 be such as to deepen the sense of loyalty to their country in the 
 minds of the boys and girls receiving them, and also to impress 
 members of their families and others who shall witness the cere- 
 mony. The following program is suggested : 
 
1. Singing of Star Spangled Banner 
 
 2. Reading of Lincoln's Gettysburg Speech by the Mayor or 
 bome other adult 
 
 3. The boys who have been previously awarded repeat to- 
 gether the following declaration of allegiance : 
 
 I will honor my country 
 
 I will do my best to build up my country's free institutions 
 
 I will not disgrace my city or my school 
 
 I will try to keep myself strong for my country's service 
 
 4. The boys who are now to receive badges repeat the same 
 declaration of allegiance to America 
 
 5. An address not to exceed five minutes on the subject "For 
 a Better America'' to help deepen the feeling of patriotism 
 
 6. Award of the badges to those who have passed the first test, 
 second test, third test 
 
 7. Singing of America, — first stanza by those who have just 
 been awarded the badges and those who have received them in 
 previous years ; the remaining stanzas by all w'ho have gathered 
 together 
 
 Wherever possible it will be found effective to arrange for a 
 processional. If the award of the badges is out of doors, the pres- 
 ence of a band will help greatly. 
 
 THE BADGE TEST 
 What It Does 
 
 . fl Every boy ought to be physically efficient. 
 
 ^ Specialized athletics have developed remarkable American 
 athletes but they have done most for those who needed athletic 
 training least. 
 
 ^ Every boy ought to try to reach a certain minimum physical 
 standard. Such standards have been formulated by a committee 
 of experts and are here presented. 
 
 ^ Every boy passing the tests is authorized to wear this badge 
 which stands for physical efficiency. 
 
 fl Even' boy wearing this badge as he meets another boy — 
 even though their homes be on opposite sides of the contmeni — 
 when he sees the badge upon the other boy knows that they have 
 had the same tests, and feels a certain comradeship. 
 
^ In these days the boy who makes himself physically efficient 
 is preparing himself for efficient citizenship later. 
 
 ^ It is hoped that once each year in each city there can be a 
 meeting of the boys who have quahfied in previous years to wel- 
 come those who have just qualified. It would not be unfitting in 
 our American cities as in the cites of ancient Greece for the leaders 
 in the city's life to make such a time a notable annual event. 
 
 ^ In some cities the physical standard of the boys has been made 
 much higher because of these tests — sometimes thirty per cent 
 higher. To achieve the same result nationally would enable Amer- 
 ica to continue to have in these days of city life the pride in the 
 physical fitness of her boys which she formerly had in the pioneer 
 days. 
 
 Revised December, 1913 
 Revised August, 1916 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW 
 
 AN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTS 
 
 WILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN 
 THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY 
 WILL INCREASE TO 50 CENTS ON THE FOURTH 
 DAY AND TO $1.00 ON THE SEVENTH DAY 
 OVERDUE. 
 
 
 
 MAY 2 193 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA UBRARY