“BUTTERFINGERS”

Southland Times, Issue 20201, 11 June 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

“BUTTERFINGERS”

TOO MANY DROPPED PASSES. Until club coaches get their teams together and teach them, coach them, and give them practice in ball handling, the standard of football in Invercargill is going to remain on the low plane at which it at present stands. Every week on the Park we see good and likely-looking passing rushes among the backs done to death through faulty handling. The evils of the dropped pass are only too apparent. The standard of back play is tarnished; whistling and stoppages are more frequent, and generally, lhe game is made less attractive. What is wrong with these so-called seniors who,

with monotonous regularly, fail to take a pass? Admitted there is some atrocious “hurling” to take; but even when the transfer is perfect, it is invariably dropped like a hot spud. Although there are other weaknesses in local senior football, poor handling is the main one, and it is up to the coaches to rectify it before the season is much further advanced. Otherwise, when it comes to the rep. games, Southland will be “left” for another season. According to reports, clubs are not neglecting their training. In fact, it is stated that attendances on training nights have been greater than ever. There is one thing certain, however, that judging by the handling displays so far seen on the Park, coaching and practising passing and taking are not a part of the training curriculum. Attend to this serious matter, Coaches. Get the boys (forwards and backs) to “fire” the ball about, and above all, teach them how to give and how to take a pass.