HOCKEY.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17412, 26 May 1928, Page 21 (Supplement)

HOCKEY.

LADIES AT PLAY. GLANCE AT THE HULKS. Players have displayed so far lhal they have nol made a careful study of Ihc finer points of 'the same. In fact it is doubtful if the majority of them have even taken the Lrouble to refresh their memories by a glance through the hook of rules—let alone a systematic study of its contents, They go on the Held with no fixed idea in their heads than that of getting through their opponents' line of defence either by mere force of weight or lialf-ihcarted attempts at improvised tactics For instance there is a rule which few players know, or, if they do, do not take advantage of and there is a decided advantage in it. When a free hit is awarded, and 'the defenders are in the circle, the free hit may be taken from any point chosen in the circle by the defenders, and not necessarily at the spot where the breach occurred. There have been cases when a full-back has 'taken a free about a yard or two out from the goal mouth; and, as often as not, the opposing forwards are on the ball in a second and score. Nov/ compare the advantage had the ball been removed to the edge of the circle, preferably to one side rather than straight in front of the goal mouth. A good strong hit to the side line, directed well forward, will often enable a "wing" to pick up the pass and be, away down the field with the ball before being tackled. There are players who have played in the same positions for seasons on end participating in questionable movements with an air of misplaced satisfaction. If players would put | the same amount of vim into correct ! play as they now do into the incorrect, i the game would be of a much finer order in Invercargiil—-and perhaps we could include a wider area—Southland as a whole. Lack Of Practice. A great deal is accounted for by lack of practice. Team work is at present too aimless, and movements either in attack of defence are just stunts performed on the spur of 'the moment and no one is more surprised than the player herself when she succeeds. This means that a team of individualists is got together and to make the game really interesting well- I developed combined effort is required. To get down to specific cases. A wing-forward ought to know that it is useless for her to take the ball right down to the goal line before centring. Yet it is done eight times in ten. What is the result? The inside forwards are marked before the ieather I comes in and a chance of goaling .is lost. So the wing spoils the sole object of the game—to beat the opposition and score goals. There is an odd occasion when the wing is forced to go rather deep. Wings, give your Inside supports a chance to work freely. Don't send in a terrific hit—a clean snappy centre is the thing, and sent fairly well back towards your forward line. Too great an angle gives the opposing back a chanoe to spoil. The centre should go In as soon as possible after the twenty-five line is crossed. When the inside forwards resolve the leather short snappy passing Is Ideal. Too many chances go through Indecisive stick work. Here correct position play is most essential. This, combined with deflntte system, spells much scoring, or at least many well-developed efforts, of which some must materialise. The wings will, of course, keep moving down with a wary eye for line hits by the opposing backs. When the shot goes in the inside forwards, at least, must go in after it. As there is opposition which must be passed, the follow in offer the shot has a sort of "shock" tactic effect, tending to flurry the defence. The wing has many opportunities of using the "scoop." The insides do not use the back pass sufficiently, mainly because of faulty backing by the halves. Care must be taken that there is no chance of getting offside as a result of this manoeuvre. It is the player's duty to put herself "on," if such a position should occur, without any delay. Again care must be taken that there is no obstruction or "shepherding," accidental or otherwise, when back passing. There is a bad fault among a lot of forwards when moving with the ball. They work with it too close, cramping .their movements, and when the ball is checked by 'the turf or rolls a little out of the line there is no room left to bring it back and the chance is lost. Take plenty of elbow room. You can work much faster

i every way. • Word to the Back Division. A word to the nack division. The irsi point that must be borne in mind iy the half line is that their main luty is to feed their forwards. All heir clever stopping and general field ilay is wasted if the eventual result s not to let the attacking line have he leather and that wilh a minimum if delay. Send it in one—don't loiter. To many chances are spoilt hrough delay in this respect, lierr' s where the player who uses her stick . good deal during the week shows to idvantage. Clean snappy fielding ind hitting is wanted, otherwise the orwards are marked before they can nove. Cover a reasonable area of ;round, but don't crowd team mates in he line, and don't rush away out of >osition to stop a shot which the fulljack can.gather quite well. Hold /our position and give her room to jlacc the leather to you. Remember that the placing of the back division creates a series of triangtes, working out from the goal, to the forward line. If you dot down the placing of the team you will bo surprised to find the number of combinations of this naturo there are, and it will give you a better grip of your work as a defensive player. Halves are too prone to go on up to the forwards with the leather. This causes crowding, which is a most undesirable feature, and leaves loopholes for the opposing forwards to go through with ease. Remember that the forwards are only human, and keep sending the leather to thorn even if they do fail to gather at times. Quito often It Is because the half has sent the pass at a bad angle. A Few General Points. Mis-hitting is a pronounced fault vith many of our halves. This in be pivot line makes it difficult for the orwards to go away quickly, resulting n lost chances. Back-up smartly, jid follow yt;ur particular part of the day closely. Your job is to keep ending the leather back to the forvards. The wing halves generally re very careless with the roll in. 'eet and stick must be behind the line mtil the ball is In play again. It is ,nly a small point but if not done acording to rule a material advantage 5 lost. While on the roll-in —why re players so slow in getting into •ositioh and -why so careless in markng their opponent? These are important points in team work- The I ving-lialves should see that their wins

forwards arc fed well. Don't concern yourselves with the in-fleld play too much. Smartfy placed shols to the. wing forward make for smart attack. If the wing-forward does her ,job properly the insides will get plenty to do. When pressed don’t hit across the goal. It’s an invitation to the opposing forwards. Use your wings, and do it regularly. Nothing is more annoying for the right-wing than to see her right-half sending across to the left. Play your own part of the game and it will surprise you how soon a fine combination will develop. Halves should make use of the push stroke. It is a most effective weapon in stopping a forward movement. The full-backs have perhaps more freedom of movement, than the remainder of the team. They are the hard-hitters of the team, but too often placing is sacrificed in an effort to get in a tremendous hit. Send it to someone, preferably to the wings. A point which must be borne in mind, by fullbacks is that they must combine with the goalie. Too often the latter is smothered by the full-backs . and rendered useless in her vital position. If your goalie has no understanding with you, get one as soon as possible. When taking free hits don’t waste lime. Get some advantage out of it by doing it quietly. The skipper shouldn’t have to bustle you into place. When your own player has the ball let her play it-