te

About two weeks after the fall opening of school a coach should call
@ meeting of all men who expect to come out for the basketball squad. Arrange-
ments should be made at this meeting for the medical examinations of every man
emeiine to try out for the team. A competent physician should give each of
these prospective players appointments for thorough heart, kidney, and lung
examinations before they ever suit up for the strenuous physical hardships of the ©
practice floor. Such relentless precautions may save many mistakes and later re-
gretse

Aso, at this first meeting with the candidates, a general plan for the
year's work should be laid out for theme Then, beginning about the middle of
October and lasting util after football season <= that is, after the Thanksgiving
vacation «= three one-hour practices a week should be held. When the Thanksgiving
recess is ended, the practice season should begin in earnest. Six two=hour prac«
tice sessions a week should become the rules If coaches do not drive and drive —
hard during the short season left, but little cam be eceomplished. It takes
patient and laborious work to instill fimdanentalse

However, en coach's best judgnent is forever being challenged in regard
to the intensity of practice periods. If a team begins to show evidences of
mental slumping, owing either to the tedious grind of learning fundamentals or to
the overexertion of team play, a versatile and divining coach will switeh off for
a while on games which will require less physical effort and will supply valuable ©
mental relaxation, such games as Crow and Crane, occasional basketball relays, and
other competitive drills of this type.

Afternoon practices are better for the players than are evening practices.
Practices held in the afternoon immediately after school hours give the players
opportumity to eat their regular meals after their exercise and to study in the