LEAGUE CODE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 146, 21 June 1924, Page 19

LEAGUE CODE

CBV "HALF BACK"I NEWS AND NOTES

FULL-BACK PLAY

A POST FOR, VERSATILITY.

The local competitions wore advanced a further stage last Saturday, and despite the weather conditions keen contests were the order in all grades. Petono and City tried conclusions at Emerson street, and after a fast and willing go the Petone team came out winners by five points to nil. Petone have some good material at the present time. Craig and Maurice are the makings of tirst-class League players. Maurice, who played ou the wing, worked very hard, and was successful in scoring the only try. Craig, wing forward, deserves a lot of credit for the way he played right through the game. This newcomer to the League should go a long way in the code. J. Kruse played good football at half, and the way he smothered the opposition in dispatching the ball to his backs was a feature. A good word is due to Reddell, who played a solid game throughout, and was the means of adding t!ie two extra points by a goal from the field. Other outstanding playei's were Smith (full-back), and J. Fine.

The most noticeable players in the City team were -. Sage (at half), who was always on the ball, and kept City out of danger on several occasions; C. Aamodfc (at full-back), who worked very hard, and seemed to enjoy the work where it was thickest • and J. Cook, who was very unlucky not to score.

As there appears to be some doubt about the tlaclde, the following' note is worthy of attention:—;" The rules dealing •with playing the ball after being tackled are very definite, and set out that when a player is tackled by an opponent, and both players go down to the ground, the tackier must immediately get up and must not use the body of his opponent to assist liinl in so doing. He is then, out of the game until the ball is put down, and must in no way obstruct until this has been done. The man tackled must retain possession of the ball until he has regained his feet, which he should do without delay, when he must at once put the ball down on the ground in front of him. The ball is then in .play, and may be played with the foot by either side, either forwards, backwards, or to i one side. It a player throws the ball away instead of playing it as stated, after having been tackled, and the ball having touched the ground, he should be penalised." FULL-BACK QUALITIES. The opinions of three stalwarts (Jaci kett, Thomas, and Knapman) on "brain | behind the ball," as applied to full- : backs have been obtained by an English .writer. "A player," declares Thomas, I "who rests content with simply acting lon the defensive throughout a game, is ; accomplishing only half of what is pos- ! sible. He should be a potent factor | in the team's attacking combination, and : present-day spectators expect this style of play. As regards the essential qualities for a full-back, they are—a good kick with either foot, a safe catch, and sound tackling, but, perhaps above all intelligent anticipation. I think a full back by correct and timely 'placing' of himself can overcome any shortcomings. in speed. This is intuitive, and no set rules can be laid down to assist the student, but the sense of correct play is developed by experience. "As to general methods my advice to all who desire to progress is to study tactics and the strong points and weakness of the opposing full back. Then adapt play accordingly. If the opposing back is slow but possesses a longer I kick, make him run for the ball as often as possible. As regards stern defence I always endeavour to take the man with j the ball in the case of two opponents coming on. Avoid taking the "dummy' jat all costs. In covering the attacking i wing allow for the possibility of an in-. j side swerve, and, if possible, encourage ; the opposition to run for the corner, i When the critical moment comes tackle I low. In a forward rush, wait tor the I psychological moment for stopping the [ advancing force. It is sometimes expedient to retreat a little distance and wait for the inevitable kick which is too strong for the kicker to get to the ball before oneself. Always try and take the ball without letting it bounce. It lias an unhappy knack of bouncing the wrong way. In conclusion be on the gui vive always for assisting in attack, but only providing that defence is not neglected." FOOTBALL BRAIN. E. J. Jackett, one-time full-back for England under Rugby Union rules, but j who finished- his football career with the | Dewsbm-y team, says : "The present-day full-back, or, perhaps I should say, most of them I have seen this season, lack that little bit of football brain ■which prevents their being described as brilliant. They appear to think the sole duty is to kick the ball and tackle an opponent. In my opinion, the Rugby League game is one that gives a fullback every opportunity to shine if he possesses the necessary qualifications • "I certainly hold the opinion that many a game is lost through brainless play on the part of the full-back Ho may have done some good kicking during the game, but my point is that by doing this he has worn out his forwards and given the other side possession in a way their play did not warrant. \s regards touch-kicking, I think with a Ion" kick to find touch is more good luck than srood management. In most cases the kicker, m my judament, would be of more service to his sido and reveal his worth if when ho got the ball he would try and anticipate the requirements of the game, and have a complete understanding with his playing colleagues. One big point of mine is that a ba-ck must secure the faith of colleagues by the exercise of his own ability." HOW TO CATCH THE BALL. Ernest Knapman, the Oldham fullback, declares that the great essentials required for full-back play are catching, kicking and tackling. In regard to the first, his advice is to always keep eyes on the ball and endeavour accurately to judge the flight. "When it is falling," he proceeds, "do not hold your arms out too far, but make a kind of basket of your hands. A strong full-back must learn to lack with both feet. Every player is naturally strono-er with one than the other, but persistent practice will make the left as good as the rio-ht. "Exchange, kickinr; with the other fullback is advisable when one's forwards need a bripf rest. These points, of course must not be accepted us strictly orthodox, and the full-back must exercise his own judgment at the opportune time. But I am a iirm believer in nursin" forwards. °

"In regard to tackling, never for<r C t that the back is the last line in defence, and that a mistake is often fatal for the side. Never ao to grasp an opponent's neck, but tackle low and round the lups. And always go for the man with the ball.

"Another attacking movement which calk for a desperate remedy ia the for-

ward rush. In stopping this do not hesitate to go down for the ball. If hesitancy is not displayed I find the forwards inevitably spread out a little, and this is the precise moment to get down. "I thoroughly realise that a full-back's duties include attack. Much thought is necessary in order to secure full advantage, and I advocate a move forward when the three-quarter backs are on tho run. It is advisable, however, to cooperate with one of the centres to fall back and take up the vacant position. But never forget the back is the last man, and that good defensive work is the essential duty.

"Every goal-kicker has his own ideas," said Knapman, "as to the correct method of placing the ball. I prefer the upright, aud aim my kick so that my foot strikes tho ball about two inches up. But you must put every ounce of energy you possess behind the kick."

. In defeating Now South Wales by 20 points to 7, Queensland clearly established their superiority, and they may now well be regarded as the champions of Australia. "The Sydney Referee" has the following to say on the match :— "If the first matc> illustrated Queenjland's superiority over New South Wales, the second game accentuated it. In the second half they out-paced, outgeneralled, and out-played the home team, putting on 20 points to nil. Fivo times in succession has Queensland humbled New South Wales—and to judge by the actual form the sequence is to be continued. Eighteen thousand people applauded the victors to the echo at the close."

Ring, the English wing-three-quarter, was sent off the field within three minutes of the end of the game between New South Wales and the men from the Old Country. He was alleged to have made an. improper remark to the touch-line judge. The case was considered by the league, and after the referee's report had been read the player in question was censured.

Despite cold and bleak weather, the match between New South Wales and the Englishmen attracted a crowd of thirty-seven thousand people. ~