The Centre-Forward

Northern Advocate, 8 July 1938, Page 2

The CentreForward

(By Harry Patterson). (Continued). “Attack is the best method of , defence. This striking axiom aptly applies to the game of hockey. The forwards are the means of attack, and the centre-forward is 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 stick work must 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 essentials requires plenty of time, patience and unlimited practice. Furthermore, be 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 bo of great benefit to all players, no matter in which position they play. Studying Tactics, Clet a piece of three-ply of convenient size and mark these on the diagram of the fields. Have two complete teams of markers, 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 as you consider the players would move on attack and defence. - By this method you can study the possibilities of certain moves and develop specific tactics to meet certain circumstances. Any player will benefit from such a study, but better still, if it can be arranged, for n forward and a back to study simultaneously, the forward moving his men on attack and the back countering by arranging his men on defence so that he can foil his opposition.

’ This suggestion, if carried out correctly, can not only be very enlightening to the participants but also 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 tactics 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. Keep your eyes on the ball the whole time and perhaps you will say that in play the opposition will probably crowd in on you, and you wouldn't know where to go and what to do with the ball.

That is overcome easily after continual practice, for a centre-forward levelops that “hockey sense.” whereby he can tell instinctively at all times without looking up exactly how all the players arc spread over the field. When a pass is made from the right flank the centre-forward will need to slacken his pace slightly and make a partial turn of the body to enable him to gain control over the ball before carrying on with the movement. Remember that passing will be more productive than excessive dribbling, and that the latter should 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 passes are certainly more accurate and more devastating, provided all the players in the line are adopts at trapping and controlling the ball.

Attacking. The centre-forward should always move in the straightest-possible line to the goal. He must see that his inside forwards do not crowd in on him and cramp his style and thus allow the defence to concentrate more on the centre. He must vary the line of attack for his job Is to keep the opposing defence continually guessing. When the attack is approaching the circle he should always be ready to snap into an opening, ready to accept a pass, 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 pass 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 goals? 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 shot, for delay, no matter how little, is positively fatal. If the defence is well back, remember that once the circle is gained it is imperative to make one hit, and make it quickly with tho greatest precision possible. Should the centreforward find himself about to be tackled just as he is going to make his shot he should forget about his own chances of increasing his own goal tally and pass to one of his colleagues who is in a better position than himself and who will probably add to his team’s score.

Should any of the other forwards have a shot at goal the centre-for-ward should ‘’follow in” on the shot in the hopes of having another shot should the ball rebound from the goalie’s pads. In the case of the centre-forward gaining the circle after a solo breakaway and with only the goalie to beat, he should try to work the ball as near as possible drawing him from his post, then flicking the ball past him. if possible on his left side. (To be continued).