The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GAME

THIS GAME IS AN ADAPTATION OF THE GAME OF FOOTBALL, PLAYED ON A
TABLE OR DESK WITH A PIECE OF PAPER FOLDED SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE A
RIGHT TRIANGLE SHAPE, WITH THE SIDES ABOUT TWO INCHES LONG. THE
'FOOTBALL' IS PUSHED ALONG THE SURFACE OF THE TABLE BY HITTING IT
WITH THE PLAYER'S HAND, EACH PLAYER HITTING IT ONCE AT A TIME IN
ROTATION. A TOUCHDOWN IS SCORED BY HAVING THE FOOLTBALL HANG OVER
THE OPPOSITE EDGE WITHOUT FALLING OFF. A FIELD GOAL MAY BE ATTEMPTED
AFTER AN OPPONENT KNOCKS THE BALL OFF THE TABLE THREE TIMES WITHOUT
EITHER PLAYER SCORING. FIELD GOALS OR EXTRA POINTS ARE MADE BY
KNOCKING THE BALL THROUGH THE UP-RAISED HANDS OF THE OPPONENT. I
LEARNED THIS GAME WHILE I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL AND HAVE FOUND PEOPLE
WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT AT PLACES I'VE WORKED AND AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF DETROIT CAMPUS. I HAVE PLAYED IT DURING LUNCH PERIOD AND STUDY
HALL IN HIGH SCHOOL, DURING LUNCH BREAK AT WORK, AND AT THE U-D
RATHSKELLAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW

Date learned: CA00001973