In 'sixes,' or six-a-side matches, there are two backs or 'behinds,' on each side, and four forwards or 'ups.' Of the 'ups' one is 'over the ball,' and takes the centre place, and two back him up with their knees behind his, and their arms interlaced round his body. All these keep their heads down, and the fourth with his back and shoulders propels the centre man. In 'sixes,' notwithstanding the closeness of the packing, the duration of a ' hot' is not usually long, but in 'fifteens,' where the same principle of packing is observed, ten minutes or more may be occupied with a 'hot' When it is added that the performance is deliberately repeated every time the ball is kicked over the netting, and that there is no other penalty than a 'hot' for any infringement of the rules, it may be imagined that 'hots' occupy the greater part of the hour which is devoted to a match. The ball, however, is not kicked out as often as might be supposed probable, for one of the most stringent rules of the game is, that it may not be kicked higher than five feet, which is supposed to be the average height of a man's shoulder, unless, at the time when it is kicked, it is either bounding or rolling at a distinctly fast pace; nor may it be kicked up unless the last person to touch it was an opponent, for, in the contrary case, it is a 'made flier.' This is a rule which causes almost as many hots by being infringed as it saves by preventing the behinds, who alone do much in the way of kicking, from driving the ball over the netting.

Still it is a necessary rule, for the goal consists of the whole twenty-five yards or thereabouts, that is to say, of the whole width of the arena, and but for the rule concerning 'kicking up,' there would be no end to the number of goals obtained. It should be mentioned, however, that if a ball before passing over the goal-line, or, as it is called, 'worms,' is touched ever so slightly by any opponent, no goal is scored. The distinguishing features of the game, apart from those already mentioned, are, in the first place, that no dribbling is permitted under any circumstances; and in the second place, that the 'off-side' rule is stricter than in any other game. It is not legitimate for two players on the same side to touch the ball in succession, unless it rolls behind the first kicker; nor may one player 'back up his partner's kick' by charging the adversary, unless, at the time when his partner kicked, he was behind the ball, or, since that time, has returned to the place from which the ball was kicked.

When the ball is caught upon a full volley kicked by one of the opposite side, it is 'punted' and not 'dropped;' but if the person catching it is charged, then he who charges is said to be 'running him,' and may 'collar' him as in the Rugby game, and the holder of the ball may run until his adversaries cease to ' run him,' but then he must halt and take his punt.

The only remaining feature of the game which requires notice is the 'under ropes' play. No ball kicked from 'under ropes,' or which has touched the netting or ropes after being kicked, can score a goal, nor can a fair catch be made when the ball was either kicked from or caught in 'under ropes.'

It is often, therefore, good generalship for a heavier side which is a goal ahead, when the game is nearing an end, to keep the ball under ropes to prevent any further score being made.

It will be seen that the Winchester game not only teaches accurate kicking and dashing play, but also gives an opportunity for skill in scrimmaging. Consequently, although the Wykehamist as a rule takes to the Association game in after life, there has been more than one instance of a player bred up to the Winchester game earning the highest honours in the Rugby Union field. The majority of players, however, of the Rugby Union game, which it will be our next duty to describe, come from the public schools, such as Rugby, Clifton, Marlborough, or Cheltenham, where they learn the running, scrimmaging, and tackling game in their school-days.