Chapter 5 - Suggestions For Half Time Stunts At Basketball Games

By Keith A. Macdonald, Executive Director, Greater Vallejo Recreation District, California

Herein listed are a few ideas you might like to work out with the approval of your school principal, faculty activity advisor and basketball coach.

1. Tumbling Exhibition by one of your high school gym classes. Gymnastics Exhibit. Parallel Bars Exhibition.

2. Trampoline Exhibition.

3. Tap Dance Exhibition.

4. Baton Twirling Exhibition.

5. Square Dance Exhibition.

6. Midget Basketball game. The smaller they are, the better.

7. Weight Lifting Exhibition.

8. Judo Exhibition;

9. Japanese Fencing;

10. Wrestling Exhibition;

11. Boxing Exhibition;

Available in some communities or at neighboring schools.

12. Comic Relay Race You need two teams with four persons on each team, two at one end of the gym, two at opposite end. Put some articles in a suitcase as a scarf, a corset, a large woman's hat, an umbrella, a long dress. Have No. 1 person on each relay team open suitcase, put on clothes, close suitcase, run to other end of gym, take off articles. No. 2 puts on articles. This process is completed until No. 4 is attired and runs to other end of gym. Place a chair at the four corners of the gym. Have relay team on opposite sides.

13. Scooter Relay, or Tricycle Relay, or Wagon Relay. At the given signal of GO, No. 1 man takes off around the gym, staying outside the chairs. After each person on each team has circled once, the relay is over. Works better to have Faculty vs. Seniors, etc.

14. Glee Club or A Capella Chorus. Singing a group of novelty songs or any song which they are currently rehearsing.

15. Novelty Acts Somewhere in each town or city there is bound to be some combo or orchestra or acts which would serve as excellent halftime entertainment. Many times they need only to be asked.

16. Quartets, trios, and soloists. Hot piano player. Very young drummer. Always acceptable.

17. Elementary Band. Invite them to play during game or during half time.

18. Girls vs. Boys basketball game. Boys must use left hand only or play it like a regular ball game.

19. Girls Basketball Game dressed in football head gear and shoulder pads.

20. Girls' Gym Exhibition There are stunts and activities which the Girls' Physical Education Department put on that may be worthy of a half-time stunt. Contact the head of the P.E. Department.

21. Seeing-Eye Dog and Dog Obedience Exhibition. This should prove very popular and entertaining. Contact local clubs.

22. Adult Folk or Square Dancers' Exhibition. There is hardly a time when an organization couldn't show. You want the best in your community.

23. Song Fest Have a top piano player and song leader. Put everybody through the singing of songs.

24. Yell Leader Try-Outs If it fits in with your school schedule, have the future Yell Leaders try out.
 
25. Magician Exhibition.

26. High School Band Formation drilling on floor like football games.

27. Drill Teams Local Drill teams usually have fine formations and pretty uniforms.

28. Volley Ball, Badminton, Golf Driving Exhibition. A well-organized exhibition of this kind can be done by local or neighboring experts. Quick installation of standards and nets takes very little time.

29. Sling Shot Sam, Lasso Expert Local man, contact through others who know of them.

30. Pom Pom Girls Special routines.

Final Comments

The planning and careful attention to details and needs of the performers are very vital. Clear with your coach regarding time. Make sure your stunt is approved by your principal or Faculty Advisor first.

Half Time Stunts At Football Games

Entertainment of some kind between halves to keep the public's attention and interest is desirable. If your school does not have a band or pep squad to drill between halves, below are listed some suggested entertainment that you could offer. Remember that the half time shows are produced to entertain fans of both teams so be sure there is no prejudice shown to either team. Coronation Parade: The crowning of the Queen for your homecoming.

Torchlight Parade: If the game is held at night the stadium lights may be turned off and a group of students could perform a drill with torchlights.

Speakers: Arrange to have a prominent person or an alumnus attend the game and make a short speech during the halftime.

Pet Show: Many of your local fans or students have Pets they would like to show off.

Flash Card Stunts

Midget Football Game. Give the juniors a chance to show off their brawn and muscle.

General Exhibitions. Tumbling and trampoline exhibitions are always interesting. Also, depending on the talent available: Exhibitions on

Baton Twirling                                      Military Drills
Pom Pom Routines                               Calisthenics by your
Flag Waving                                         Gym Class
Serape Routine                                     Dance Routines

(Mexican Shawls) Comedy Shows A clown or two to ease the tension will help the program.

Dance Routines

The Baton Rouge (La.) High School Booster Squad has a group of dancing girls called "The Highsteppers." They have put on very entertaining programs at the basketball games as well as at football. They made quite a name for themselves in the state. Last year they auditioned for half time activities at the annual Sugar Bowl Game at New Orleans. At our basketball games they have performed as a precision rifle team where they show their skill in doing rifle drilling routines. They also presented a "flourescent light show" where the lights are turned off, with the exception of flourescent lights, which makes their costumes shine in the dark while doing their dances. Their dances all have a theme such as "Cinderella," "A Trip to Chicago," etc.

Copy The Circus For Half Time Stunt

By Keith A. Macdonald, Vallejo, California

Remember the stunt they pull at the circus

In comes a sedan with whitewash on all of the windows with the exception of a peep hole for the driver.

The horn sounds and an attendant opens the door out pops a clown the door is closed, the attendant walks away, the horn sounds again, and out pops another clown . . . This is repeated until 15 to 20 clowns come out followed by a mule. . It's a real laugh provoker.

Do the same thing at your high school or college. If you don't make up as clowns, you can try and put one-third of your band in the car. Bring them onto the field a new way. The laugh gets louder when at last the tuba player who has to put his instrument together before he emerges and the bass drum player comes out pounding his drum.

How do you do it ? It's simple remove everything inside the rather old car front and back seat. Bunch all the players up in tight knots or lay them out flat.

The last ones out will be back in the luggage compartment. The last one out should, of course, be the band director.

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