HEMI’S ADVICE ON HIKING

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 15

HEMI’S ADVICE ON HIKING

That prolific kicker of goals, Jack Hemi, who, in addition to gaining New Zealand Rugby League honours this season has also figured prominently in the Rugby field, takes every opportunity for practice in the art he has perfected. He outlined some of his ideas on the subject when questioned a few days ago. Hemi said he nearly always placed the ball straight. , The reason for this was that the bottom of the ball presents such a small surface; it does not give the same opportunity of a clean kick when sloping at a steep angle. “You must have a good spot on the ball to kick at,” he added.

“I place the ball with the back seam in a direct line for the middle of the crossbar; it is essential to get it properly sighted. Once that is done I step back a few feet and never look at the goal posts again. Like a golfer, I keep my eye on the ball.” If a right-foot kicker, it is important that the left foot is resting at such a distance from the ball when approaching to kick that the right foot can get a good swing and a full kick at the ball, and then a follow through, Hemi continued. Take an imaginary line down the centre of the kicking leg to the middle of your foot and that line should be in line with the back seam of the ball.

Hemi said he never allowed for wind. “If you place the ball for the centre of the goal posts there is already nine feet on either side of the centre to spare,” he argued.

Holding the ball when punting was also dealt with by the full-back. Too many players grip the ball by both ends, and then in running the ball is joggled by the body movement and does not fall straight; of course the kick goes astray, Hemi said. His advice was to grip the ball with both hands at the middle, and thus ensure a clean kick.