ADVICE TO PLAYERS.

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 141, 17 June 1922, Page 12

ADVICE TO PLAYERS.

Some good advice, given by "Onlooker," in the Tapanui Courier, is passed on for the benefit of local players:—"The' new rule with regard to kicking into touch will make a tremendous difference in the play of all the teajvis, and that attack is the best means of defence will be oven more in evidence. In the first place, of course, a side lias t3 get its share of the ball from the scrums to enable play to bo mude, and with this end in view teams would do well to practise packing a good scrum as soon as possible. There is too much of going down haphazard and shoving the players thie way and that before tithe -call goe&-in ; If thcir-jaarura is vpqll

lield and properly packed the ball should come out cleanly, and so give the half-back .a chance. At present if it is hooked it hangs about the middle or back of the scrum, and the opposing wing-forward has every chance to come round and smother the half, who is probably trying to pick it up at the very edge of the scrum, and afraid all the time he will be penalised for picking it out o£ the scrum. Attention, then, must be paid to the matter of packing and, not only that, but holding the formation so that the ball will como out cleanly. It seems to me that all the backs are inclined to play too close up to the forwards. When a passing rush is started it is not a rush, as each player has to wait to receive the ball, aad this is because the passer has no clear idea as to where the player supporting him is. He usually runs into a man and then looks round for someone to pass to, and by that time two or threo.are. ready .to spoil it, or else he runs into the thick of the play and is brought down. How often, too, we see a back run in a backward circle to try and beat an opponent coming to Mm, and probably finds, he has to give a bit of a kick to get out of the difficulty, which is more advantage to tho other sido than his' own. My' own idea is that every time a scrum is formed the half-back should glaiico round .to see where his backs are, so that he can whip it to them without having to find them after he geEs it, and all the rest should bo on the gui vive to support him once if.is.away.. The. whole thing really depends on players thinking for themselves, and anticipating what is likely to happen. Getting oft' the mark quickly if there is any chance of an opening is the Btireat way to scoring, and players should bo on the alert continually to take advantage of any chance offering. Next to being in position himself, and knowing where his mates are, the thing a back wants to know is where his own opponent is, and he should never be lost sight of. If he is out of position' there is more, chance to get through; but if he is in position, the player with the ball must make up his mind quickly as to whether he can get past him, or whether he will need to pass as soon, as ■he reaches him. In fact, his mind must be on the game and working all the time. The question of formation when in different part of the playing" area, for attack or defence, should be discussed thoroughly in practice, and a big lot can be done as far as this part is concerned in this district. The principal thing is to have the backs going at top almost when they are receiving the ball, and with the backs straight out parallel with the goal lines, as they mostly are here, this is practically impossible. Pace gives a man extra weight, and to get pace the backs should be placed at an angle to the goal line, each one having to put on speed as he comes up to take the pass, and being therefore much harder to stop than if he has to take it when practically standing. If a little time and attention were given to these matters and teams even talked over'a plan of attack and defence to suit what they think is required against a particular team, players would perhaps understand better what is recjiired of them, and endeavour to do what is laid down as their part of the work. The game cap easily be varied when on the field if players are in touch with each other, and this is not -often done at present. There is too much sameness about the play right through the games, and if one stunt does not come off, something else should be done for a change. Players 'can do it all if they take an intelligent interest in the game^ and work together.' One word, or a nod even, from the haH-back or captain .should be sufficient to let a man understand that something is 'on,' .and t,° be on t!i. e alert, .but the main thing, after al^, is to be in the proper position to help."