HOCKEY.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18378, 11 July 1931, Page 21 (Supplement)

HOCKEY.

SCIENCE OF THE GAME. SOME INTERESTING POINTS. THE FORWARD DIVISION. In this series of articles on the game it is proposed to take it in three sections — namely, the forward line, the halfback line, and the full-back line —and to traverse and disouss the various forms of attack and defenoe. Of late years the game has greatly developed and improved, and now players generally recognise that in order to succeed some sound system of both attack and defence must be adopted. The Forward Line. '■ The forward line, as the line of attack, occupies a prominent and important position In the game. The mlslson of the forwards is to score goals, and to achieve this end some oomblned system of attack must be employed. There are several recognised systems of attack that may be considered, which depend on the abilities of the players and the general conditions governing the game. The forms of attack are as follows: 1.. The long-passing game. 2. The short-passing game. 3. The combination of long and short passing. 4. The individual game. Of No. 4 (the Individual game) explanation is not necessary. It is a crude form of attack, and has such limitations that it is not entitled to serious consideration. Style of Play. The first of the systems (the longpassing game) is usually employed for the purpose of opening the attack, the wing player, in possession, carrying the ball-to the opponents’ twentynve, and then putting across a central pass, which is taken up b'y the inside forwards. This form of attack has the advantage of spreading the defence, and of keeping the opposing backs continually on the run; and if exploited with discretion should make openings for the inside forwards. The second system of attack (the short-passing game) is usually confined to the three inside forwards; and its success depends on the measure of the ability of those forwards to meet the demands of close and intricate movement. In the first instance, the forwards must have ball-control, the ability io keep the ball at the stick, to draw'the defence, and to make accurate passes to either the right or left as occasion requires. . It has great possibilities, but should not be adopted exclusively, or it may defeat its own ends by drawing in the defence and thus closing all avenues of attack, It would appear that the ideal form of attack would be a combination of the long-passing and the short-pass-ing game, thus discreetly distributing the play and exercising to the full capacitly the whole forward line. Spreading the Detfence. Such a form of attack, if skilfully and judiciously maintained, has the defence harried, always on the move, and guessing what the next move will be; and as a result opportunities in the circle must occur, and the attacking forwards should have little difficulty in reaching the coveted goal. From the long pass, once the wings have centred the ball, the inside forwards take charge, and the real attack commences. The Centre Forward. The centre forward holds the most Important position in the forward line; he has to size up the situation, decide on the plan of attack, and use discretion in making openings and controlling the movements of the line.

While the Inside forwards are usually the most prolific scorers, much of their success depends on tho tactics of the centre forward. In championship contests the openings at goal are generally the result of shortpassing movements in and about the circle, and their objective should be to allow the best-positioned player to shoot, and follow in fast, so that if the shot is stopped there will be another opportunity to score from the rebound. And In conjunction with all recognised principles and schemes of attacic there is ample scope for individual ability, providing players are prepared to do their own thinking and have the anticipation and judgment to act quickly and at tho right moment.