FOR HOCKEY PLAYERS

Chronicle (Levin), 16 June 1949, Page 7

FOR HOCKEY PLAYERS

M.

Murphy)

Ditties Of Wing Half-back Explained

(By Les.

■rnis weeK s arucie aeais wnn uie duties of the wing half-backs in hockey and also the difffcuities confronting the left haif. The chief duty of the right half is to keep the opposing left wing in subjection, and-to assist her own forwards, especially when p ay is concentrated on their right fiank. The wing-forwards are usually chosen because of their extra pace, and a wing half shoulcl always bear this in mind when supporting her own forwards on attack, as she will then be forced to risk ieaving her opponent unmarked to a certain extent. Support Wing On Attack. Many right haives hold the view that their dmy is confined to checking the opposing wing-for-ward and roliing in the ball when the occasion demands. That is not so. When attacking from a midfield position the right half should feed her wing torward. The pass should be made with sufficient strength to enab.e the wing to trap it with her stick, without slackening her pace. From what I have seen of wing half-back play I cannot say that the passes to wingforwards have been generally sent on with desirable ju'dgment. It is here that the wing ha f must exercise sound judgment and pay particular attention to the direction of her hit, so ihat the ball travels slight'y ahead of the wing-forward. bub at such a pace that the latter can overtake and gather it in with her stick. Once the forwards are past the opposing 25 then the right hali should endeavour to pass in to the centre. When play is in midfield, the right half should always be ready to accept a pass from her own back, or from the centre-half by getting herself wel! positioned to make it a simpie matter for either of them to pass to her should they be tack'ed. There should be a complete understanding between the right half and the right fufi-back. Both these players should know one another's methods if their p'ay is to be a success. For instance, if the opposing 'cft wing has a good start and the right half is too far behind to catch her, tlra right back will immediately come out to tackle, while the half makes a direct line for the circle edge to cover and to mark the opposing inside left. Left Half's Bifficulties. The player in the .eiri half position will find that many of the foregoing remarks apply equally as well to her play, except that the names of the positions will be reversed. The left half has more difficuhies in tackling than her vis-a-vis, and must be very careful how she approaches an opponent. She can easfiy get herself into such a position that she must come in to tackle from the wrong side, and, so run the risk of being penalised." The opponent she must mark is the right wing, and remember, "marking" does not mean following he'r everywhere she goes, but just watching her 'closely and countering her movements by anticipating the run of play, and intercepting passes to her. If unable to intercept tackle immediately and try to prevent the winger from making her centre. Therefore the wing half should stick to the opposing right wing, and bust'e her to the point of spoiling her attemp'; to centre. Remember the left half has probably the most difficult position on the field, as she is unab'e to hit with a natural swing, except perhaps when passing to her own left wing. Most of her other hits will necessitate a partial turn of the body, un'ess she resorts to the reverse shot or exploits the push pass^