CENTRE FORWARD

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 136, 11 June 1938, Page 5 (Supplement)

CENTRE FORWARD

(Continued.) IMPORTANCE OF POSITION. (4 A TTACK-is the best method of f\ defence." Thie striking axiom aptly applies to the game of hockey. The forwards are the means of attack, and tbe centre-for-ward k the leader of the line. Therefore he must realise that his play is of great importance to his side, "and he must make himself proficient in every phase of forward play. His •tickwork muet be of the highest

order. His passing must be accurate. His "ball control" must be faultless and he must give considerable time to practising shooting at goal.

To gain that proficiency in all these eeeentials requires plenty of time, patience and unlimited practice. Furthermore, he must make an intensive study of tactics, and here is a suggestion well worth carrying into effect which will greatly help in this direction. In fact it can be of great benefit to all playere, no njatter in which position they play. Studying Tactics. Get a piece of "three-ply" of convenient size and mark thereon the diagram of the field. Have two complete teams of marker*, one black and one white. Draughtsmen will suit admirably. Set out the markers according to their positions on the field, then move them about the field a* you consider the players would move on attack and defence. By this method you can study the possibilities of certain move* and develop specific tactics to meet cer-

tain circumstances. Any player will benefit from such a study, but better still, if it can be arranged, for a forward and a back to study simultaneously, the forward moving hi? men on attack and the back countering by arranging his men on defence, so that he can foil hie opposition.

This suggestion, if carried out correctly, can not only be very enlightening to the participants but aleo highly entertaining. Having made a study of tactics either individually or in small groups, the next move is to carry the idea still further by discussing each method of attack and defence in the presence of the whole team, and working out definite tactiee to meet the circumstances most likely to occur in any of the matches. Trapping and Passing. To "trap" a ball whilst on the run will at first prove rather difficult, but persevere with your practice and you will soon be surprising yourself with your ability to trap it without slackening pace. Platee Nos. 28 and 29 show how a centre-forward trape

a pftee from the left. You will notice that he has his eyes on the ball the whole time, end perhaps you will eay that in play the opposition would probably crowd in on him and he wouldn't know where to go or what to do with the ball. That is overcome easily after continual practice, for then a centre forward develops that "hockey senee" whereby he can tell Instinctively at all times without looking up exactly how all the players are spread over tho field. When a pass is made from the right flank the centre-forward will need to slacken hia pace slightly and make a partial turn of the body (as in plate Xo. 27), to enable him to gain control over the ball before carrying on with the movement. Remember that paesing will be more productive than excessive dribbling, and that the latter ehould only be used as a means to an end. Long passes are easier to accomplish and are better suited to rough or exceedingly heavy ground conditions. Short paseee are certainly more accurate and more devastating, provided all the playerg in the line are adept* at trapping and controlling the ball. Attacking. The centre-forward should always move in the etraightest possible line

to the goal. Plate No. 30 shown the approximate limits within which he should work. He muet see that his inside forwards do not crowd in gn him and cramp hie style and thus allow the defence to co&eebtratj gior« ea the centre.

HINTS ON FIELD PLAY

He must vary, the line of attack, for hie job is to keep the opposing defence continually guessing. When the attack is approaching the circle he should always be ready to enap into an opening, ready to accept a pase, or, if he has the ball, ready to pass to'one of his own unmarked players in a better position than himself. On approaching the circle, should the defence be concentrated on the centre, a well-directed paw to an inside forward or wing will often prove a successful move. Circle Work. How often is the standard of circle work proved to be the difference between success or failure in scoring goate? Learn to shoot properly and to shoot quickly from anywhere in the circle, except, of course, from ridiculous and impossible acute angles. Do not dally with the «hot, for delay, no matter how little, w positively fetal. If the defence i* well back, remember that once the circle is gained it is imperative to make ONE hit, and make it quickly with the greatest precision poMible. Should the centre-forward find himeelf about to be tackled just as he is going to make his shot, he should forget about hie own chancee of increasing hie own goal tally and paw to one of hii col-

Taking a pass on the run. The centre half has passed the ball to the forward and he is taking it on his stick to carry on without slackening his pace. . leagues who ie in a better position than himself and who will probably add to his team's score. Should any of the other forwards have a ehot at goal the centre-for-ward should "follow in" on the shot in the hopes of having another ehot should the ball rebound from the "goalieV pads. In the case of the centre-forwaid gaining the circle after a solo breakaway and with only the "goalie" to beat, he should try to work the ball a* near as possible, drawing him from his post, then flicking the ball past him, if possible on hi* left «lde. j,To b* continued.)