LADIES’ HOCKEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 July 1939, Page 8

LADIES’ HOCKEY

ADVICE TO PLAYERS

WHAT RECRUITS SHOULD KNOW.

TYPES OF STROKES USED.

(BY LES. M. MURPHY). (Wellington Ladies’ Hockey Critic.)

This week's article deals with the style of strokes to be used, body obstruction in circle, and goalkeepers and free hits.

I have often been asked, by players, how they could develop an interesting stylo of hockey—by acquiring good stroke equipment. Players who rely on the aimless, indiscriminate, purposeless high velocity hit develop a type of play which possesses the only interest of being dangerous, an interest that only encourages the more primitive appreciations of the spectators. Such players must widen' the range of their stroke and incorporate the push, scoop, flick and reverse strokes. THE PUSH AND FLICK. The push and flick stroke should be employed in practically every move of the game. They are the essentials of the game, like the forehand and backhand drives in tennis, and possess many advantages over the customary hit. The push is accomplished simply by placing the heel of the stick behind the ball and propelling it forward with the muscular power of the arms. Being in direct contact with the baft it can be passed or propelled more accurately toward an objective than the hit, which demands a perfect back swing, a perfect contact and follow through, and a sensitive appreciation of strength in hitting and direction. With the push stroke most of these factors are eliminated, and so greater accuracy can be secured. Also, over short distances, the push stroke is faster, for the back swing is excluded. With this stroke a player can disguise the direction of the pass, placing it high or low at a moment’s notice. It is impossible to give sticks, and greater control is gained over the ball. Its advantages are obvious. The flick stroke is very similar to the push, the only difference being that more wrist movement is employed and the ball is projected from the toe of the stick. THE SCOOP STROKE. The scoop stroke is accomplished by inserting the heel of the stick quickly between the ball and the ground and lifting it, like an egg to a spoon, to hurl it over an opponent’s head in a required direction. It is a useful tactical move when encircled by opposing players. This stroke should be used judiciously, for serious injury may result from a careless scoop into an opponent’s face. The short scoop over an opponent’s stick just as it is about to make contact with the ball, is a neat and extremely effective method of outwitting the opponent and remaining in possession of the ball. THE REVERSE STROKE. When a player wishes to short-pass the ball to the right she may hit it, use the reverse toe stroke, or employ the reverse push. The hit is slow and telegraphs the direction. The reverse toe stroke can be used if a short, snappy pass is required, but over long distances it becomes erratic and difficult to control. It can be used effectively as a scoring stroke where the goal-keeper has been outwitted by dragging the ball to the right; a re-, verse toe stroke swings it behind the; custodian from the right hand side into the open goal. The most useful short passing stroke, however, is the reverse push, in which the ball is propelled to the right from the heel of the stick by the employment of the ordinary push. These two reverse strokes are essential to the progressive forward who wishes not only to develop ball control but improve scoring ability. The Indians are adepts at it. BODY OBSTRUCTION IN CIRCLE. What is the reason for body obstruction in the circle being so prevalent in New Zealand? The fault rests with forwards being unmarked in the circle. Some defences have not concentrated upon marking the opponent on the stick side only. This fault was conspicuous last season and the unsystematic marking was largely responsible for the body obstructions in the circle being so prevalent. GOALKEEPERS AND FREE HITS. The practice of goalkeepers taking free hits cannot be recommended as their style of play at the net is entirely different from that of the other players, and they are extremely liable to give sticks. Incidents of this kind occurred frequently in Wellington last season. This should be the duty of a full-back, preferably a strong hitter with a keen sense of knowledge of where to place the ball to advantage. REPLIES TO CORRESPONDENTS

“Junior Player,” Masterton: Ytour request will be covered in a later article. Thanks for complimentary reference to articles and am pleased to learn they are being keenly followed by players. “Centre-Forward,” Solway: Success in your play rests to a great extent on ability to vary the line of attack. Avoid selfishness especially in or near the circle; by doing this you will keep tiie opposition guessing. Remember that if a team-mate is in a better position than yourself and unmarked, never hesitate to pass the ball quickly to her. Your keenness should assist you to reach the goal of your ambition.

"Enthusiastic Follower.” Lansdowne: It was certainly an unfortunate error but these things will happen. The promptness of the correspondents correction was justified. I do not agree on your second point, rules must be correctly interpretated for the benefit of players. It would be awkward for an umpire to give a ruling and a player think otherwise through adhering to a misprint which lias given her misleading interpretation. Thanks very much for complimentary remarks on articles and trust they will assist players immensely. Regret I will be unable to visit Wairarapa until late in season but assure you I will review the Wairarapa teams when they play in Wellington late next month. Note. —Correspondence on hockey matters for Mr Murphy should be addressed to 13 Whittaker Street. Wellington, to ensure prompt answers in this column. (Continued next Monday.)