FOR HOCKEY PLAYERS

Chronicle (Levin), 14 July 1949, Page 9

FOR HOCKEY PLAYERS

Les. M.

Murphy)

Duties Of Forwards And - Cirde Work

(By

This week's hockey ardcle concerns the duties of the forwards. the inside fight, attacking and 5 circle work. "■ As an inside right, you must be always ready to attack. Your positional play must be practically faultless, otherwise the crowding of your centre or wings will prove disastrous. At all times kiiow the disposition of not only your own forwards, but also tne opposing defence, and be ready to snap rte-o an opening should the opportunity present itself. Watch for the right moment to give or take a pass, for the opportune p^ss is the real so'ution of a successful inside right's game. By moving too slowly ahead to take a pass or by passing too late, the attacking movements are likely to break down. Uombination Needed. First-time passing is better than foolish attempts to try to beat the defence single-handed, and that means that you must combine with both your centre and right wing. Not only that, but you must also be veady and abte to interchange posir iions with either of these players should the necessity arise. Hit the ball cleanly and crisply in a direction slight1 y ahead of your partner, then follow up ready for a "eturn pass should one come your way. Tackling back is an important part of your duty when you lose possession on the attack. Also when your halves and backs are hard pressed you shoffid not fail to fall back and he~p. Should you get the ball,- pass it to your wing, for, as a general rule, it is a sound move to pass to the wing when 'on defence and to the inside players When on attack. Take Straightest Line. The centre forward should always move in the straightest possible line to the goal. She must see that her 'nside forwards do not crowd in on her and cramp her style. When the, attack is approaching the circ'e she shou'd a'ways be ready t'o snap into an opening, ready to accept a pass or Cif she has the ball) ready to, pass to one or her own unmarked "jolleagues in a better position than nerself. On approaching the circle, should the defenee be concentrated on the centre, a we'l-directed pass to an inside fo.rward or . wing will often^prove a successful move. Le'arn 'to shoot properly and quiekly from any circle position, ex-. aept from ridiculous and impossibte acu'e angles. If the defence is welb ofck, remember that once the circle is gained it is imperative to make one hit and make it quick1 y with the greatest precision possible Should the centre forward find herself about to be tackled when in position to shoot, she should pass to one of her colleagues in a better position than herself. Shou'd any of the other forwards have a shot at goal, the centre for-

ward should followan on the shot m the hope of havinsg ano-ther shot should the ball rebound from the goalkeeper's pads. In the case of the ; centre forward gaining the circle' after a solo breakaway and with only the goalkeeper to beat, she should try to work the ball as near as possible, drawing the' custodian from her post, then flicking past her, if possible, on her left side.