The Left Flank; Inside Left; And Left Wing

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1938, Page 7

The Left Flank; Inside Left; And Left Wing

Hockey

(By Harry Patterson.) The left-wing position is perhaps the most difficult position on the field in which to excel, and the following advice will be helpful to the player who decides to play there. You will find that many of the essentials for right-wing play apply equally in your case. That, is to say. you will require to be speedy and able to trap long passes and centre without slackening pace. Much practice will be required to become proficient in the art of ball control and dribbling whilst travelling at top speed. When dribbling, avoid one-handed play and always try to keep the ball 'well on your right-hand side. Resort to as little reverse stick work as possible, for you will find that it not only slows up your game, but also leads, you into trouble when tackled by an opponent, for ft is then easier for you to obstruct him and incur the penalty. Positional Play. As with the right-wing, your territory consists of that strip of the field between the seven yards line and the sideline, and, similarly, you can be very effectively marked, because you can only pass the one way. Keep to your own position, so that the defence will be drawn to tackle and thus leave your inside forwards more or less free from attention. Crowding in on- the centre only helps the defence. Attacking. It cannot be emphasised too strongly the necessity for varying your tactics. Once in possession, set off for the goal-line at top speed and. when tackled, either pass to your “inside,” or make an individual dash. (This will keep the defence guessing, but remember you should seldom attempt to score yourself. Your inside forwards will usually be in a better position to do thi’s. Centring. Generally speakinf;, you will find/ it advisable to centre when you arc near the twenty-five, but, of course, you must use your discretion according to the position of the defence. Always endeavour to draw at least one defender before centring. The ideal way to make your centre fs to slightly slacken your speed and partially turn the body when you are ahead of the ball, then swing it across with one strong and well-directed hit. This requires a lot of practice, but is preferable to the more spectacular, but usually indifferent, reverse stick centre sS often attempted by leftwingers. , Another method often used is to stop the ball dead with the reversed stick, then turn the body at right angles and make your centre from that position. This will be found effective, especially when you have eluded the defence and one of the backs is quickly gaining on you and ready to tackle a second time. By stopping the ball dead and quickly flicking it in towards you, you will find your pursuer over-run the mark and you will have plenty of time to centre before he can recover. Inside-Left Position. This player should possess all the qualifications of the rest cf the forward line, for the inside-left position is a very important one. He must be speedy and able to pass well, especially to the right. Perfected use of the flick shot Is essential, and clever stick work and dribbling, together with that understanding of his forwards' play (so necessary for combined efforts) must be in evidence in the highest degree. Attacking. Always be on the alert and ready to receive a pass. With play in midfield, this pass may come from the left-half or the centre-half. Set off with the ball at stick and, after drawing the opposing halves, pass out to your leftwing so that he can make more ground and eventually draw the fullbacks before centring again for you or the other forwards to score. Vary your tactics by occasionally making a long pass to the right-winger when opportunity affords, as this will effectively open up the game and will probably throw the whole defence out of position. Both these moves should only he made when play fs in midfield. Once the twenty-five has been reached it will be more beneficial for the ball to be kept in the centre. Should the winger be forced to “bore in” when attacking, be ready to exchange places with him and call to him as you do so. so that he will know exactly where you are. Always be prepared for a centre from the rightwing. Sometimes you will find that hfs centre has been made in such a way that the other two insideforwards cannot possibly advance to it. yet that extra time that the ball lakes to reach your section of the field enables you to be up there to collect it. Scoring Goals, As an inside-left, you will find that you have many opportunities of shooting at goal. Also you will find that it is perhaps the hardest position from which to score. Success will come only after concentrated practice. The novice usually takes the ball into the circle at speed and attempts to partially turn his body and make a mighty swipe in an endeavour to force the ball past the goal-keeper. In doing so, he invariably loses his balance and cannot avail himself of any op-