HOCKEY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 240, 11 May 1933, Page 7

HOCKEY

Advice to Players THE GAME IN STRATFORD (By "Centre.".) I mil pleased 1o sec so ninny teamin the competitions this year, .lodging from 111*' sliiinlii.nl of [>laj witnessed j..,i fjiv in both the ladies' and men's g-jiini' lux key is still im the up grade in this district. Many of the players arc n • v to I lie si ick game anil I would ad 1 i. e Ihem to gel the loan of .1 rule book and Irani the rules. By so d-;ing they will make themselves more >llicici)l in the game, arid, help (heir learns consider ably. Both old and now players should hear in mind that, a penalty against them is an advantage I 1 iheir opponj hiils. and often is the cause of spoilI ing a greal chance of scoring. j -X- -X- # In ray notes this week I am going i 10 give some advice to teams in gonj cral, [ Players should make a poinl of turnj ing oul in full club colours. RemeniI ber you have spectators who are ini terestcd in the game and they in i most cases have only the club colours ; to guide them. When a team is turned ! out in uniform y<>u will be able to i pick out your own players quickly. •x- * -xI Do not talk and shout out to each i other on the field. Too much talk j often spoils a good game. I Do not appeal Remerabdr the ; referee is there to control the game ; and he is in a position to see more i of tile game than a player. Team work is what counts in hoc- ! key. Do not try to become an indij vidua! player. j Tin's is often very pretty to watch, j but in most crises it will not gain much I for your side. •x- -x- * Don't he selfish and try to beat a ! loam on your own. You have other ! players in your (earn to combine with j you, and. after all it is combination i that counts in the end. -x- * ■:•:- The main faults I have noticed this ! season are "sticks" obstruction and I oil'side. i * * * ; This week I will deal with sticks. ; The rule is -as follows: When striking j at the ball, no pari of the stick shall I be raised above the shoulder, either ! :it the beginning, or end of the stroke. * * * : Many players at the commencement ! of the stroke bring the stick too far i up, other:-; commence correctly, bul at ! the finish carry the slick too far for- ! ward. These faults are easily overcome if I you hold your stick correctly. - v - v- XHow to hold the stick and make the ! stroke: Place your left hand a few i inches from the top of the handle, i with the right hand a few inches be- ! low the left. Colmner.ee the stroke : with your arms practically straight; if you bend the elbows the stick will I rise above your shoulder. Winn you ; make Ihe drive Ihe same principle j applies. Having struck the ball lei Hie j stick follow through, keeping ice arms ' almost straight as though you wer<> ; going to swing the stick around your j waist and not as though you were 1 going to swing the slick nbov..< your j head. The action is (hat of using a \ scythe. j Practice this in fronl of a Fellow i enthusiast Until he tells you '.inr have 1 acquired the knack of producing your I drive without giving stick-'.