THE RUGBY GAME

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 3229, 7 June 1924, Page 3

THE RUGBY GAME

HOW TO TRAIN.

The following article by Dr P. F. McEvody, famous Rugby player, should be of special interest to players seeking representative honours and to enthusiasts generally. Football is undoubtedly the national game of New Zealand. Indeed, a wellknown player has said: 11 Football, with New Zealanders, is more than :'i sport —it is almost a religion.” We can, however, with truth say that, as a people, we possess the football spirit in a very high degree. There are few boys indeed, on entering school, whose ambition is not to become great footballers. Some are born with natural football ability, but the vast majority attain their goal by constant practice and strict attention to training on proper lines. In the limited space at my disposal I wish to indicate some points in training that may be beneficial to the young player. Fixed Purpose Essential.

If there is one thing that counts more than all others in training, it is, in my opinion, to have before us, the whole time, some fixed purpose. Too much training, without this objective, is the cause to-day of indifferent results and the failure to develop the natural ability of the individual. How often do we see men turn up at their gymnasium night after night, and run round and round at a steady pace until they have raised a good perspiration, and then have a shower, a rub-down, and their ■training is done! A man training for a long distance race would do the same; but is it sufficient for a footballer? Does it develop his physical condition on the lines required? Decidedly —No. There is in this method one idea only—namely, the development of staying power, and on lines not required in football. Speed of Movement. What, then, should be our method? Firstly, we should start with a fixed idea of* developing the qualities called for during an actual game. Everyone knows that speed is essential. Therefore, let our first object be the development of speed. Furthermore, speed is called for in short, sudden bursts, whether it be by forward or back. It is, therefore, obvious that one of our main objects must be the development of speed on the lines called for on the field: Short, sudden bursts of speed for a matter of 10 to 15 yards. The next essential is quickness of movement. An opponent has to be tackled or eluded, as .the case may be, and if he possesses any football ability, he is not going to run straight, into the arms of his vis-a-vis. He will twist, and turn and sidestep and we must be prepared to meet these tactics. Therefore, our second point in training should be to develop this quickness of movement, without which no player will ever reach the ranks of the great. It is. useless to leave the attaining of this quickness until the actual game is in progress. W. Wallace or George Smith never developed their wonderful side-step or quick cutting-in on the field alone. These assets, which made their names great in football history, were developed in actual training and perfected only on the field. Control of the Ball. Control of the ball should be our next purpose in the process of training, for accuracy on the field is only to be attained by constant and persistent handling on correct lilies in our hours of training. Whether wo pass a. ball or kick a ball in practice, it should be done with a fixed purpose. In kicking, length should be aimed at, direction sought. The aimless kicking or throwing about of a ball, so often seen, is a sure sign that the coaching and training of the individual is wanting in method and purpose. It is surprisig, even amongst senior players, how few know how to take and give a pass accurately. Many a player with great natural ability in otlior respects, fails dismally for this reason: his training has been aimless. To receive a pass the player should be slightly turned towards the sender —in the case of a pass coming from the right—the left leg and the left arm advanced and the right arm bent at the elbow and held close to the side. In this position tlio receiver has a wider range of reach to accept an indifferent pass, and at the same time has his abdomen and chest protected by his left arm and shoulders. To send the pass on, the next step is to advance the right leg, bringing the right shoulder in advance of tho left, slightly turning to the receiver—propelling the ball with the right hand and directing it with the left. The right arm pushes the ball through, and left is extended to the horizontal position, and at this moment the ball is sent on at the correct height. Protection Prom Tackle. Til this position, again, the angle of the receiver is brought better into view, and the protection of the shoulder and arm to the abdomen is secured to the passer. How many backs are winded and the heart taken out oF them, by a heavy tackle, through failing to adopt this protection? Let my readers take up the stance, as indicated bv me, and see what it means. Then try the other position of reversing the stance, both in receiving and delivering, ami it will be obvious as to which is the correct