HOCKEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 June 1931, Page 4

HOCKEY

ADVICE FOR PLAYERS LEARN THE RULES Then' arc one nr two weak features apparent in hockey ns played at present that tend to make Hie game a ragged exhibition of a primitive stick game and rob it of that fast, open, highly skilful and sparkling play that characterises true hockey. Indeed some of the lessons the Indian team taught ns have long since boon forgotten. To improve our game due and careful consideration must lie given to tlie following points: (a) A perfect knowledge of tlie rules to avoid incurring penalties that so often lead to fatal consequences. (h) Absolute control of the ball from start to finish of the game: this calls for perfect team work, deft, quick, and snappy passing of the ball, and abandoning the ghastly practice of blind, indiscriminate slogging of the ball to any part of the field, without regard to the possible consequences. Certainly exception must be taken in the case of backs who with tlieir backs to tlie wall must, and rightly so, clear the ball well out of the circle. But in general it is the art of Hie game to give the ball to one’s own man.

(c) Play to the whistle. Too frequently golden opportunities are lost or the'game slows down because some players have stopped for an appeal. It must be borne in mind that there is ail advantage rule, the only rule underlined in tlie code of rules, and tlie referee is on tlie field to apply it where necessary.

(d) “Cut out” entirely the offence of obstruction; that deadly and culpable practice that mars any good game and gives rise to so much ill-feeling; so many unwarranted knocks and to frequent “spoiling” of promising movements.

THE OBSTRUCTION RULE

“A player sbitll not obstruct by interposing'himself between an opponent ami the ball, nor by interposing himself or bis stick in any way as an obstruction, nor shall lie tackle from an opponent's left, unless be touches the ball before lie touches the person or stick of bis opponent.” Take this rule clause by clause and work out on the field all tlie possibilities there arc of causing an obstruction by interposing your body or your stick in any way so that your opponent is prevented from taking a legitimate Hit at the ball.

RULE 12, GENERAL DETAILS

“Tlie ball may be caught or stopped, but if caught must be immediately released to fall perpendicularly towards the ground. The foot, if used for stopping the ball, shall be removed immediately. Tlie ball may not be picked up, carried, kicked, thrown or knocked on or back except with the stick. The fiat side of the stick only shall be used, and no player shall in any way interfere with the game unless his stick is in his hand. There shall lie - no charging, kicking, shoving, shinning, tripping, holding or striking at sticks. Hooking sticks is only permissible when the stick hooked is within striking distance of the ball.” Many features of your play infringe some clause in this rule. Note particularly that “there shall be no charging, shoving (including shouldering) and striking at sticks.”

QUESTIONS FOR PLAYERS Here are a few queries for players themselves to answer: ). A goalkeeper extends bis right leg to save a goal; and keeps bis foot against tlie ball till he lias had time to recover bis balance and clear tlio ball, while an opposing forward lias been waiting to net the ball. What is tlie referee’s decision ?

2. An opposing forward stands in the circle in an offside position. Tlie ball, shot from another part of tlie circle, hits the goalkeeper and rebounds a yard or two. The waiting forward then hits the ball into tlie net. What is tlie referee’s decision? 3. Is it legitimate to scoop the ball into the circle?

4. In a bully off one of the centre forwards hits the ball (a) between liis own legs (b) between bis opponent’s legs. Should either player be penalised in either case?

5. May a player in the field hit tlio hall between His legs when another player is within striking distance of the hall?

THE GAME IN ENGLAND Exactly how the game came to he introduced into England is unknown. According to one authority, it originated in France in the fourteenth century. One thing, however, is certain and that is that the game grew and developed in England. Originally, hockey was very rough, and for that reason it was discouraged in many quarters. In Scotland tlie game was originally called “Shinty,” and in Ireland “Hurley.” It was usually played on tlie hard sandy seashore, with numerous players on each side. Tlio rules were simple and the play was very rough. The game came into prominence in England in 1875, when tlio Men’s Hockey Association was formed, and eight years later rules were drawn up by the Wimbledon club. Since then the "amo has been improved, until it has become the skilful, scientific exhibition we know to-day.