HINTS FOR PLAYERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 225, 6 July 1939, Page 3

HINTS FOR PLAYERS.

DUTIES AND POSITION PLAY. ) The chief duty of a right half is to keep his opposing left-winger in subjection, and to assist his own forwards, especially when play is concentrated on their right flank. The wing forwards are usually chosen because of their extra speed, and a wing half should always bear this in mind when supporting his own forwards on attack, as he will then be forced to risk leaving his man unmarked to a certain extent. However, with carefuj study and attention to positional play he can reduce the risk by working himself into such a position that he will be able to easily intercept the clearance should his forwards lose possession of the ball.

On Attack. When attacking from a midfield position, in fact at any time when his own forwards are not in the opposing twenty five! the right half should feed his wing man. The pass should be made with sufficient strength to enable the winger to trap it with his stick, without slackening his pace. Here it is that the wing half must exercise sound judgment and pay particular attention to the direction of his hit, so that the ball travels slightly ahead of the wing forward, but at such a pace that the latter can overtake and gather it in with his stick before the opposing defence can claim possession. OnceTiis forwards are past the opposing twenty-five then the right hall should endeavour to pass in to the centre. When play is in midfield, the right half should always.ho ready to accept a pass from his own back, or from the centre half by getting himself well positioned to make it a simple matter foi either of them to pass to him should tliev be tackled.

There should be a complete understanding between the right half and the right full-hack. Both these players should and must know one another’s methods if their play is to be a success. For instance, if the opposing left wing

has a good start and the right half is too far behind to catch him, the right back will immediately come out to tackle, whilst the half makes a direct line for the circle edge to cover and to mark the opposing inside left .

Left Half Play. The player in th& left half position will find that many of the foregoing remarks will apply equally as well for his play, except, of course, that the names of the positions be reversed. The left half will find that he has more difficulties in tackling than tlie right half has, and must be careful how he approaches an opponent. He can easily get himself into such a position that he must come in to tackle from the wrong side, and so run the risk of being penalised! This can be avoided to a certain extent by maintaining a position further out nearer the sideline. The man he must mark is the opposing right wing, and remember, “marking does not mean following him everywhere he goes, but just -watching him closely and countering liis movements by anticipating the run of play, so that a position can be taken which will enable an interception to be made should the ball be passed to him. If unable to intercept tackle immediately and try to prevent the winger from making his centre.

Therefore the wing half should stick to his man, even if he is passed, and bustle him to the point of spoiling his attempt to centre. Remember that the left half has probably the most difficult position oil the field, as he is unable to hit wit ha natural swing, except perhaps when passing to liis own left winger. Most of liis other hits will necessitate a. partial turn of the body, unless he resorts to the reverse shot or exploits the push pass. jWhen play is in'his own twenty-five the left half should clear with a big hit—not merely an aimless hit straight down the field, but one with, direction, and make the direction towards the sideline. Try to reach the left winger if possible. With play nearer the halfway marks it is sometimes profitable to make a quick change in the line of attack by changing the direction of the hit so that the ball' is passed to the opposite wing.

The slogan “Mark your man” applies at all times, but never more so than when play is in or near Vo nr own circle.

The Roll-in. When the ball'is hit out over the sidelines it is the duty of the wing halves to roll it into play again, each half taking .his own sideline. Players should get into their positions as quickly l as possible, and the half should restart play without any delay, provided all other players are outside the 7yds line. When rolling in the player should see that his body, and especially his feet and his stick, are outside the line, and that the ball is rolled in along the ground and over the spot at which it left the field of play. As the other players must he outside the- 7yds line when the hall is rolled in, it will he seen that considerable ground, can be gained by accurate rolling in as close to the outside line" as possible, thus spoiling any chance of interception. Sometimes when an understanding is pre-arranged with a back it is possible to roll in towards the centre and allow the back to initiate the attack from the opposite flank.