ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

NZ Truth, Issue 151, 9 May 1908, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Points of the Game.

(By "G.R.")

-It was my privilege on Saturday last to witness a game of "Soccer" played at the Basin Reserve between the Swifts and Wanderers clubs, and, along with others who formed the crowd, • I was greatly interested m the display' of the dribbling code given by the two teams. As to the variously estimated crowd— "The Dominion" says it numbered 500, and "The Post" places the figures •at 2000— that is a matter which does- not enter - into the question of the game being a desirable one to foster m New Zealand.- In regard lo individual play little can be said from the standpoint of one who, has played the game m England, as, with the exception of one or two play-, ers, who have probably had the benefit of playing the game m the Old Country or have witnessed contests between body League teams m England and Scotland, the majority of the players did :>ot appear to grasp the five points of "Soccer." But whilst the display was anything but a finished one, there were occasional glimpses of finesse, which promise, with attention, to lead to the development of really good ''Soccer" players. On the whole the passing of the forwards was marked by a lack of precision and the individual efforts were disjointed, with the result that there was little combination on either side, but as this particle is written not for the purpose -of adverse criticism, but for the advancement of the game, no reference will be made to individuals. In the half-back and back lines a great fault was noticeable, m tliat, whilst the tackling was fair, the placing was execrable, with the result that an opponent got the ball as frequently as did the backs own forwards. It appeared to be the chief aim of the full-backs . to get m a big kick, a fearful " lunge, " rather than try to feed the forwards, with the result that the ball either went high up m the air or dropped within a few feet of the kicker, or else it went outside the ground altogether. This is a very bad fault, and the full-backs should cultivate a style which will tend to keep the ball m play and assist their forwards m the direction of making for goal.

A few words of advice to players generally will not be out of place here, and perhaps the forward line can be best dealt with first. The first rule to be looked to by the captain is the formation of the team and the placing of the individual players m the best position to suit the game. Having selected his five forwards, the careful captain will adopt a formation most suited to his ideas of what is correct. The proper formation for the forward rank is not a straight line, but that of a iW, the centre* and out side forwards lying well up with the two inside men standing back. The advantage of this formation is at once apparent, as it enables the inside man to work the ball, and, having drawn the opposing half-back to himself, pass it to his outside man, or the centre-forward if m a better position, with the result that the outside man has only to the fullback, m his forward run. The most important point for a player to remember is that when making a pass, he should keep the ball as low as possible— on the ground ■ itself,' for preference— and place it about a foot m front of the player he intends the pass for. This enables the player to take the ball on the run and frustrates the half-back or back, who may be waiting to intercept the pass. The reason for keeping the ball low is obvious to any player ; if the ball is kicked m the air it is longer m reaching the ; player the pass is intended for and enables the opposing backs to make much ground , before the ball alights, with the result that the forward may have difficulty m negotiating the .pass. Heading the ball, though necessary at times, should be discountenanced as much as possible as it does not tend to forward movements or brisk, smart play.' When , a forward finds himself off-side, it is his duty to place himself m a position to be placed on-side as quickly as possible, and for that reason he should drop back, always, of course, keeping clear of an opponent so that a claim for obstruction may not be given against him. A player can put himself on-sidq. This can only be done m two ways, either by one of his own side nearer his opponent playing the ball, or by an opponent playing the ball, the latter case, 01. course, placing every opponent on-side. The forward should, when he sees his half-backs m difficulties, drop back judiciously to assist them. The positions to' .he taken up by the backs and half-backs do not appear to be fully understood by the "Soccer" players m New Zealand, with the result that the game suffers materially. The formation v which .is best suited for defence and attack is for the three half-backs to play on the three inside forwards, leaving the full-backs to | watch the wing men. , Any player will readily see the advantage of this formation, as it is practically man to man and permits of a complete understanding between the various players, with the result that combination is brought to perfection. In the adoption of this system the goal-keeper is enabled to judge the shots he is called upon to save with much more reliance than when he has the fullbacks dancing on his toes, as often occurs when they confine their attentions to the centre, instead- of the outside of the field. Nothing is. more disconcerting to a goalkeeper than to have his line of vision obstructed, and many goals which a goal-' keeper could save are registered through the full-back obstructing his view of the shooter. A complete understanding' between the backs and goal-keeper will tend to keep the scoring sheet clear. A pomt 1 which th» "Soccer" authorities should take, notice of is that unless there is a barrier of some sort the crowd will encroach on to the playing arena, and whilst it is- not possible 'to erect a fence round the touch-lines at the Basin Reserves, there should be no difficulty m stretching ropes round at a distance of five yards from the touch-line. This five yards would enable the spectators to follaw the game at all points, whereas at present, if the. ball gets near the touchline at one end of the field, the spectators have to crowd over the line at the other end m order to see the play.