ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17038, 11 May 1923, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CANTERBFRY CGtNDITI©NS. COMMENTS BY • NESTOR.” The anti-sporting weather experienced for the -week-ends lately in Canterbury has been remarkable for its consistency, but on Saturday last it was of such a decisive chara<-ter that it was early evident that football would be an impossibility. M ith the large number of young players who are talcing up Soever as a recreation. thi* opportunity may be taken advantage of to deal Vith the correct method of play in which each individual unit of ‘a " leant must be come proficient, should he aspire to become prominent in the* Soccer world. Some players are gifted in being able to adapt thenmelves to any position in the field, and to fulfil their duties admirably, but it is always advisable for the recruit to study closely the style of play which comes most naturally to him. and to so master the different points of positional play, by practice, that he is able to successfully and adapt hjmself to any problem which * may confront him. Every player of repute hoe won fame through excelling in his own particular style of play. THE GOALKEEPER. r l he goalkeeper constitutes the last line of defence, and he fills one of the most vital positions on the field Although the tall player has some advantage in dealing with certain shot*, it does not always follow that- height is indispensable. Scores of the finest Keepers do not exceed oft Sin, but though they are lacking in height thev excel in agility. i.oel judgment, smaitness, and courage are absolutely necessaiy, and unless a player possesses these three qualifications success will never be, attained.

Every shot to be dealt with calls for a different method of defence, and only by constant study of each of the attacked; and their own peculiarities, can a ’ keeper” hope to keep his deal intact The feet should never be employed when there is a possibility of !™ g , the Scores of games have been lost by a greasy hall glancing off the toot into the net, when all P +t Ch LL “ throw ha.vi made all the difference. Oatc-h a hall if not, too closely p i99 ,*d hv the attackers; fist if you ai-e pressed. Propol the ball at the greatest possible angle tn the goal, even over the line L ' ou aie j^ ll , —a corner is fai lemoyed from a goal. Catch a ball into the body. Fist with a swing wLst" S T b f" TC ’ th th ”™ b a «d wrist. To deal with a high shot which threatens to sail just under the bar, Jump at the psychological ra „ ment, and using both hands, elide the r h -ss the bai take h un * COr " er kick ls hell >g token, ind do P noi P ° altlon near tha tar „ not 011 at‘y acoeunt allow your baM 5 ’ erS tC ° istruct view of THE FULL- BACK. i S 'sure fi^cl.-?"'lifica^ OU ot a toll.back nwl +t , k " g ' aild naturally folcorrect ® P ' OJ T' to th is position correctly, must be absolutely fearless Heckless and rough methods'must find no place m this player’s game, and no encumstanoes can justify it. : Hero again, the attackers’ tactics' must be closely studied and checkmated aroord-

, I lie touchline sprinter must be mer, tajrly and squarely— your defence rieht I' 1 0t h f lm - A P aas must , mer hy a femt, always being on the alert to intercept. There must be no hesitatioh once your opponents’ intent,.on ,s apparent, and to be beaten places your goal in jeopardy. The wing man is yoni mark, and it is your duty to prevent, by every f a j r means his deadly centre. Have a complete understanding with your partner as regards covering each other, and kick purposely every time. _ *

Cultivate a sure kick with accuracy Th L n' t T ‘i f i OrC ' e ’* not essential. J he ball should travel in a direct limto the exact spot most advantageous to your side, even though it be but a few yards distant. Heading the ball must bo perfectely mastered, and often has this method of defence prevailed when m a tight corner, THE HALF-BACK. Probably the most responsible line in the team, and often its most dominant factor ,s the half-back. Its duties are twofold attack arid defence—and therefore the halves must he in the pfhk o- condition. To he successful in tlii-< position a player must realise that the best method of defence is attack. It would be well for young players to make a spec,a! note of this fact. For nrlvL t 0 T a,t lc "' tke onslaught k to proic weakness, and to render useKss the first principles of his duties The proportion of attack. to defence Sliou d he as two to one, and indeed he should be in such close attendance to his forwards when a raid is being pushed home that he should almost be” come one of them. It should he re. memhered that in a sudden swoop on the opponents’ goal six forwards must have one man more or less unmarked, even against a full defence, ant? it is in these unexpected onslaughts that scores are often registered, i A<i back play a half must perfect himself m quick, correct passing, be A from wing to wing or a fast ground transfer up theline. He must be keen alert and resourceful, ever ready ts outwit the most tricky forward. He must keep in constant view the position ot his iside. so that a pass to the strongest sector i* spontaneous. Tf circumstances seem to favour going through on your own, do not heitate, b\zt make the dash and hang at the net if the opportunity occurs. It is a mistake to suppose that a half should leave all the scoring to his forwards. A long, hard shot from thirty yards out often takes a goalie ” completely by surprise by its very audacity, but sound judgment must he the guiding factor in such a case. Whilst keeping the primary object in view, it must he distinctly understood that selfishness is an unpardonable sin. It more often happens that the outside halves are not allowed by the defence to get. within shooting distance. Study strategy, then. and endeavour to draw the defence, and at the psychological moment, sling the ball over to fhe other wing, and give the unmarked player his opportunity*. You will lie as much honoured as the scorer if your strategy succeeds The centre half particular! v should he a player of marked ability. Around "him the game ebbs and flows, and lie vOHiet he a tactician in every sense of

the word. Ever ready to assist, in pushing home an attack, he must also be watchful to cover his forwards if. called on to defend. His position ar centre makes idleness an impossibility and he should be the trained unit in the team. More goals are scored, indirectly, from a clever half’s strategy than from the play of any unit in the team, and lie i,t is who. more often than not, decides the honours of the day. THE FORWARDS Very briefly I will deal with the duties of a forward as an individual player. To the centre forward is usually allotted the task of putting tlic final touch on all'attacking movements. He must, therefore, be accurate and strong in his kicking, and above all he must specially study the goalkeepers weaknesses, so that lie is able to put his theory to the test immediately the opportunity occurs. Dribbling (not with selfish intetFt) must be assiduously practiced, and correct passing thoroughly mastered. He vftoiember that he is the pjvot of attacking line, and that around ll#fcvi the other forwards revolve. whilst it mu at he considered one of his duties to shoot hard and often, lie must Ip* absolutely unselfish, and must constantly study tire position of his inside parthers. Roaming is an unpardonable sin, for. as leader of the attack, he must be constantly in positien to receive the centres of his wing men. Remember as a rule, not to pass to your outside men when close to the opponent's goal, iusfc as it is the safest policy to do 30 when the enemy is swarming round your own. Lastly, do not forget there are four other forwards *in your team, .and that you are not the “ only pebble on the beach ” by a long way. The art of combination must be assiduously practiced by all the forwards. b\it particularly by the inside players. Learn to kick with either foot, as your passes must he directed correctly and either to the right or left. Always he in position so that your wing man. will know that you will he at a given spot, to snap up a pass, even though he' may not see you. Learn to shoot a goal from all sorts of awkward angles— it is such shots that constantly score—and become proficient in heading the ball. You are often in a better scoring position than your centre, therefore, do not hesitate, but !

The winger must 1>« speedy and acquire perfect control of the ball, and muet be ever alert to take a pass at top speed, or to trap and sling over an accurate centre. Judgment must he constantly employed as to whether a short pass to the inside partner is the most judicious or the smart accurate centre. When approaching the opponents’ line, do not carry too far. as you will allow the defence to concentrate for the expected centre. It is a far beter policy to draw* the defence just, so far. and then sling over into goal for your centre to clinch the movement. Keep on side. Times without number. splendid movements have been nullified by the non-observar.ee of this rule, and attack has been turned into defence. Lastly be of an even temper. and never, under anv circumstances. question the ruling of the referee. the TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA The representation given Canterbury in the team to tour Australia can only be. regarded by local players with dissatisfaction. The repeated lack of (xj us id e ration given this province by the sole selector (Mr B. L. Malmond, of Wellington) would suggest a class of play far below the standard obtaining in other centre? a contention entirely disproved by records. Canterbury and Wellington were the only two provincial teams to defeat the Australians when tourinoNew Zealand last season, and yet. ou*t of the three test matches played only oue Canterbury representative (L. Barwellj qualified for a c\ap. and that in the last match at Auckland. In the team which leaves lor Australia today week Wellington has six. representatives. Auckland four. Otago four, Taranaki one. and Canterbury one. Reputation appears io have influenced Mr Salmon's selection in the ease of Kissiok (half-back), who only arrived in the Dominion a few weeks ago. This is a very questionable selection. The selected team, with the number of times each member played in the test matches last season, "is as follows:—Goal, R. Ornxton. Auckland (three teste); full-backs, R. Braith-wa-it e, Auckland (three), R. M’An ley. Otago (two). J. P. Flood, Oanterburv (no*ie) : half-backs, N. M’Arthur, Wellington (three), W. Brownlee, Wellington (two). Jj. ICia sick, Wellington (none), J. Dryden, Otago 'none); forwards. C. Ballard. Wellington (three). G. Campbell. Wellington (three), C Dacre, Auckland (one). R. Innes Auckland (nonei. F. Balk, Otago (none), J. Donaldson, Otago (none), A. Jones. Taranaki (none). W. Ihomas, Wellington (none). Half the team therefore have still to win their spurs and their effort* will be watched with interest. The first match of the Australian tour will be played against Glanvill*—an association near Sydney—-on Mar 25.

FINALISTS IN THE ENGLISH CUP

(Special to the “Star.”) LONDON, March 29. West H&m a.re only the third Lon don club in the last forty rears to reach the final of tlie cup competition and their success has aroused great enthusiasm. Bolton Wanderers have twice before been in the final, but they have never Avon the cup and curiously enough they have been represented bv much better teams thar,i the one which has now gained high distinction. As a, matter of fact they only beat Sheffield United by a goal that was scored through an error on the part of the goalkeeper. An easy lobbing shot sent m and the custodian so misjudged the flight of the ball that it passed oA r er his head and went into the net. Again Sheffield United were unlucky in having one of their half backs hurt in the first half. Through this mishap the side was badly disorganised. Tt Ava* a poor match, conspicuous for the almost Complete absence of really good loot ball. The reason for this aa-hs that, both teams were too keen and anxious to do themselves justice, I ho other tie in London, however, ay as one of the best that has been played since the war. and at the finish one felt that there have been Pew

more worthy finalists than West Ham. .They Avere winning at eA*ery stage and never more so than at the start. In fact they scored two goals in the first eight minutes and Derby County AA*ero then practically beaten. As a matter of fact, the London team in the seconrt half were four goals ahead. Then, as was perhaps natural, they slackened off and Derby scored twice. But ns soon as the danger of the grip on the match l>eing lost West Ham quickly rallied and gained a fifth goal to place the result beyond all doubt. The winners played as a really great side and o-ne of the marked features ot their display was the unseJfi&hness of the men. All of them had only cue thought. That was to do their utmost for the team. Derby had been coached by the famous old player, Stephen Bloomer, but Avhilst the'y AAere strong and energetic and, moreover never lost heart they had not the rosource to hold their opponents. Bolton Wanderers Avon the final by 2 to 0.