HOCKEY

Grey River Argus, 13 June 1936, Page 3

HOCKEY

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Last Saturday’s game between Cobden and Pacific produced an excellent standard of hockey. The result—a victory for Pacific by 2 goals to I—was1 —was no surprise, for the winners have improved considerably of late. Fast Ground.: The cutting of the grass at the Recreation ground, resulted in m great speeding up of the game, and local players now have available the finest field on the West Coast. The speed at which the game can now be played only serves to give prominence to the faults of players, but the ultimate result caunot but. be an even higher standard of play.

Individualism: Pacific rely more on individual efforts which really do- not produce good hockey. Rarely does a player n two evenly matched teams succeed in scoring from an individual effort. Neither of Pacific’s goals came from solo efforts or combined movements, both scores being secured from corner hits. ****** Improved Player: Although he has much to learn about his correct position, Burn (Cobden) is acquiring better control of stick and ball and should, with practice, develop into a useful half. ****** To much to Himself: There is no doubt that Heaton( Pacific) is a player above the average in these parts but he should give more consideration to his other forwards. The true characteristic of a good player is his willingness to teach and help others, iln order to do so he should' be prepared to give his fellow players a chance to do their part. ****** Good Backs: Coffey (Pacific) i? eminently suited to the full back position and on Saturday did much of his work with great credit. His work is made harder hv the absence of support from tho halves. Cobden’s full back. Beckman, is still in good form, although on Saturday he played rather deep. He did however, receive valuable assistance from Carter. ******* A Disappol ntment: Those who watched Smith. Pacific’s custodian, last year anticipated better than ho has given this season. Last year he was in gret form’, but so far this season ho has played a slow game and obviously needs practice. Mettriek. on the other hand, has the best record to date. Best Game to Date: Nicholl tho Cobden centre half im proved a rather poor reputation by playing in best form on Saturday. Ho did not hesitate when defence was required and yet was always handy in support of his forwards. He can use tlie flick stroke to great advantage but preferred straight shots last week ****** Flick Shots: Besides Nicholl, Perrin (Mawhera) and Jarvis (Pacific) are the only players who seem to have a complete understanding of the “flick” shot, which could be used much more extensively Not only does it save time, but if properly directed tho ball can easily be made to leave an attacker standing. This and the “scoop” shot so wonderfully executed by the Indians last year, are becoming more familiar on our New Zealand grounds, and before long it will be necessary for every player to be accomplished in the art if ho is to attain representative honours. ******* Advantage Rule: A number of players (other than skippers) seem to think that they can appeal at will, and that referees must take notice, of their appeals. Actually

the referee is the sole judge of an infringement and he has, as is only natural, full powers to deal with any breach. Th ( . advantage rule, first adopted in hockey, and later extended and amended by other codes is frequently overlooked by these who would like a. penalty for every breach. The rule is designed to be used at the discretion of referees, and has done an immense amount of good in speeding up plav until to-day we find that hockey is faster than ever. ****** Eack Pass: This is given by the right or ’reverse stroke and is very effective in freeing a player and in changing direction of tho game, says AV. M. Masaud. The execution and effectiveness of the pass depends upon perfect understanding and anticipation between the two playrs, giving and receiving it. It should, however, be resorted to only at intervals and on suitable, occasions. Too much indulgence robs the game of its speed and forward play. A left-inside nearing the edge of the striking area and finding no opening, for h's dribbling or forward play can very well pass to his half back or centre half. The principle Io be observed in using this pass is that if you find no opening for forward play it. is better to pass the ball back tbiau give it to an opponent. “Back pass” is a fine tactical move if employed suitably and opportunely by the player concerned. ****** Cross Passes: These are very effective in changing rhe complexion of’ a gamp at any moment. They also make the game open and give full scope to the movement of every player. By “cross passes” I mean’ passes from' fight full-back to left wing; from' left full-back to right wing; similarly from the two side |half-backs to the opposite wing forwards. xY clever half-back or fullback watching a game concentrated on lone side for a considerable time will take it to the other side by a “cross pass” to his opposite’forward and will thus catch the opposing defence ou that side less active and attentive. Full advantage can be secured from “cross pass” only when such passes are oxecuted with the least possible delay; Otherrvi.se, if some time is taken the opposing defence will anticipate your movement. Care should be taken to see. that the passes are not intercepted by the opponents in which ease, the danger, instead of being in their zone, will be on your side, as your defence will he caught unawares by a sudden change in tho direction of play.

Reverse Shots: These should be resorted to infrequently, as they lack the finish and sting of the “right” shots. Even a first-clas loft wing is expected to turn and pass the ball on the “right” shots. Every shot of a good player

should be well thought out and accurate. No player can bo sure of these essentials with reverse shots, A tap with the reverse stick proves very effective. Imp u player should practise well Indore he uses it. A tap to the right inner by a eeii'ti'e -trequently passes a defender and proves very effective in changing the game. ****** Carrying thia Ball on a Stick: Formerly this was considered brilliant work on the part of a good player when there used to be more show of individual play than team work. Carrying the ball on a stick is never useful to a team but is certainly spectacular. It is full of risks to Ihe player, as he stands a good chance ol being hit ou tho face. Even if you are very quick and active and an adept in doing this funny trick it will carry you nowhere. Certainly not to the scoring of a goal, which is ultimately the object. AVhen a player is carrying the ball on a stick what ar<> the other players expected to do—stand and admire? According to the basic principle of team-work each and every player is expected to anticipate the movements of the other and clearlv this is not possibly in this one-man trick.

Many senior players have a very hazy idea of when they are off-side and no doubt feel aggrieved when they are pulled up by the umpire for being off-side after getting into a scoring posrUon. This breach is all too frequent. Forwards frequently put themselves offside in an endeavour to anticipate a bounce from the. goalie’s finds, and the reason for this was fully ■'xplaiwd. The main point to be born., in mind regarding off-side plav is that a player must he on-side when thball is fiassed to him and not when he receives the ball.