HOCKEY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6241, 12 June 1946, Page 5

HOCKEY

THE RIGHT FLANK INSIDE RIGHT AND RIGHT WING POSITIONS Considered by some to be the easiest position on the field by reason of the fact that play is always made to the left, thus employing a natural swing, the right winger will soon find that this idea is erroneous. There are many important points to be learned and need of much practice before becoming a player of class in that position. The first essential is speed, so that depth of thrust can be added to the attack. Secondly, ball control and dribbling whilst running at top speed is necessary and can be mastered only after patient practice. To be able to centre with a sharp crisp hit while travelling at speed is the third essential, always, of course, being sure that the ball travels in such a direction that one of the inside forwards can collect the pass and carry on with the movement. The winger must also be able to trap the ball from a long pass without slackening his pace. If you are the player in this position you should always remember that your territory consists of that strip of the field between the seven-yard line and the sideline. Remember also that you can pass the ball only the one way and, therefore, you are able to be marked more closely and effectively. You can counteract this to a certain extent by keeping your position as near to the sideline as possible, thus forcing the half to come in on the wrong side to 1 tackle. It will be seen that speed and ball control are all right when you have, a clear run, but you must also be able to bring clever stick work into play to enable you to elude the defence and emerge with the ball to start that run. Keep your position at all times, and do not crowd in on: the centre. Always keep on the move so that you have the opposing half guessing as to your actual position, but never fail to be ready to accept a pass. When your side is attacking watch every move of your inside and centreforward, and even your centre-half. They will be watching to see if you are unmarked, and, if so, you will surely get a pass. Try, if possible, to create an opening by manoeuvring yourself into an unmarked position ready to take the pass. Once you receive the ball you must realise that you have to do something with it, and circumstances will determine the best course to adopt. With a clear run you may go right on, according to the position of the defence, and centre when you reach the vicinity of the twenty-five. If you have beaten the half-back, you may carry on and attempt to draw one of the full-backs out of position before centring. Or, if you are quickly or unexpectedly tackled, pass to your inside right, or even to a half, if he is well positioned, so that either of them may be able to initiate a fresh attack for you. Then again if you find no oppositin when going down the wing on your own, you can bore into the circle, and use your judgment as to the best policy to follow. Either you must shoot for goal or pass to to one of your other forwards in a better position than yourself. But do not spoil your play by excessive boring in and never try to shoot goals from acute and impossible angles. Having gained as much ground as possible the next part of your job is to pass the ball in-field so that the inside forwards can carry the movement to a successful closure. iGenerally speaking your centre should be made when near the twentyfive. Before making the pass take a quick glance to see the position of your inside forwards and the defence, ’ and this will allow you to determine the angle of your centre. Sometimes it may be a square centre, at other times a forward oblique centre, or if your are forced well upfield, you will then have to centre on a backward angle. When centring be particularly careful not to give sticks. As an inside right you must remember that you must be always ready to attack. Your positional play must be faultless, otherwise the crowding of your centre or wing men will prove disastrous. At all times know the disposition of not only your own forfards, but also the opposing defence, and be ready to snap into an opening should the opportunity present itself. Watch for the right moment to give or take a pass, for the opportune pass is the real solution of a successful inside right’s game. By moving too slowly ahead to take a pass or by passing too late the attacking movement is likely to break down. First-time passing is better than foolish attempts to try and beat the defence single-handed, and that means that you must combine with both your centre and right wing man. Not only that, but you must also be ready and able to interchange positions with either of these two players should the necessity arise. Never play selfishly. The side retaining possession of the ball must hold the advantage, therefore, it is far better to pass freely than to hold on to the ball and eventually lose it. It follows, of course, that it is important for your pass to be made correctly. Hit the ball cleanly and crisply in a direction slightly ahead of your partner, then follow up ready for a return pass should one come your way. Practice passing to cither side. “Tackling back” is an important part of your duty when you lose possession on the attack. Also .when your halves and backs are hardpressed you should not fail to fall back and help. Should you get the ball pass it to your winger, for as a general rule it is sound principle to pass to the wing when on defence and to the inside men when on attack. 'Once you reach the circle shoot hard and quickly. To dally with the ball, tapping it to try and work it into a better position usually proves fatal. The first time shot is the best. If, however, you find yourself forced almost on to the goal-line, do not attempt to score unless the opening is absolutely clear. It is better to pass the ball back to ne of your forwards waiting for the opportunity to find the net. Always “follow in” on another forward’s shot at goal. WEEK-END TEAMS The following are the week-end teams to play at Otorohanga against Hamilton teams:—■ A team: Lawry, B. Parker, W. Hoskins, B, Hutson, R. Burns, R. Spiers,

J. Miller, N. Spiers, M. Irwin, C. J. Spiers, D. Hoskins. E team: W. Jenson, T. Wilson, D. Finn, D. Hancock, M. Sexton, R. Sugden, T. Burchell, K. Adams, R. Pellow, E. Penny, R. Church. (Emergencies for both teams: Battson, Morris, C. Shaw, J. Allen, L. Addison, A. Bulford, B. Galloway, D. McCole, A. Spiers.