THE NURSERIES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1174, 8 July 1911, Page 12

THE NURSERIES.

(Br The Veteran.)

Teaching the Yeung Idea,

With Association' football on tho floodtide in Wellington, I propose in tho following article 1 to briefly touch upon an all-important point, upon which hangs tho future success of tho game, and that is tho right methods to adopt in "teaching the young idea how to shoot."

Take, for instance, the cadet movement, which was instituted to teach the boys in a thoroughly practical manner th© duties that" will bo required of them on reaching manhood's estate. Similarly, a sound, practical s'cheme is required to instruct tho junior Association players in tho science of tho finest of games, a fame which calls for tho highest intelligence in the proper development of tactics, plans of attack and.'defence, and the sudden changes of the tatter to meet those adopted by tho opposing team. All this highly requisite knowledgo is but too often left to be picked up in a haphazard manner, if at-all, instead of being a matter-of the first importance. The game has infinite possibilities in matters such as combined movements, the half-backs joining with their forwards so that thero are eight attackers instead of five; ■ triangular movements between the two wing-forwards and their supporting half-back j such resourceful tactics as allowing the ball to pass on to a moro favourably-placed player; running over tho ball when covered or tackled by an opponent, the supporting player being in the pre-arranged position immediately behind to take the ball and continue tho movement.

The Throw-in. And there is a deplorable lack of intelligence shown in the way throws-in are taken. Instead of it being an advantage to the throwing-in side it is often the reverse. Certainly that side has one player less on tho field, but, with a well-thought-out plan as to players and position, and where the ball is to go, the taking of a throw-in should bo tho initial movement of a combined attack by the side-that has the ball in its possession. Now, practically tho wholes of these points can be illustrated on tho blackboard by an experienced coach, who also should possess tho enthusiasm and patience lor this important position. Method v. Kick and Rush Game. Whatever tho merits of boys are when required to learn their lessons in school, they will need no urging to learn the scienco of a gamej and they should quickly assimilate the wonderful possibilities (hat there are in the "soccer" code, in strong contrast to tho present want of method, as, for instance, the all-too-pre-vailing kick and rush game. With much regret I am forced to say that it is almost useless to advise the lads to watch the seniors aud copy their methods, as thero is hardly a single senior team that plays the game as it can, and should, be played. Is there- one team famous for delightful combination and artistry in Wellington, fit to hold up to the lads as an example to copy? There used to be a tale told of the famous N. J. Koss, full-back for the redoubtable Invincibles, as they 'were named, Preston North End,. a team that scored a goal for every 34 minutes throughout an English Cup tie, running up • a score of 2C to nil. He was asked by a friend, before the match commenced, 'How many goals to-day, Nick?" "One,"-was tho laconic answer. Tho game began, progressed, and drew towards tho conclusion without any score. Butthreo minutes before time

"Nick" drew out his handkerchief and waved it, and tho machinery being set in motion on the signal, a score was promptly registered, the famous captain thus showing tho capabilities of a team who were tho first to study, work out, and carry to a triumphant conclusion, scientific methods of combination, as opposed to tho prevailing kick and. rush game. The wonderful victories they achieved were due to the fact that they made a study of tho game, worked out plans of attack and defence, each man knowing perfectly his part of tho design, before ho went on the field. Such is the system that should be applied to train our lads, and ensure the future development of the game on the right lines. On the field the lads should be taught to keep the ball on the floor; never to waste a ball; alwavs passing to one of their own side; unselfishness; and it cannot be too strongly instilled into their minds the first importance of position; to keep in their places; to move up or fall back to cover as tho case may bo (after the nature of tho fielders on the cricket field), and never to forget that they are members of.a team, for to parody the'old nhrase, "United we win, divided wo lose." '

A cablegram was received in Sydney (hiring the week stating that "Freddy" Welsh, the English light-weight ex-cham-pion of England, now in tho United States, met and defeated "Matty" Baldwin, of Boston, in San Francisco. Baldwin is in the very front, rank of American light-weights, having, (luring his career, beaten "Jimmy" Clabby, "Johnny" Summers, "Tommy" Murphy, and other "top-notchers," and has also fought draws aud "no decision" battles galore with Wolgast, Bronson, Attell, and Co. Welsh's performance must rank as a high-class one.

All plain biscuits (says, a medical journal) may bo considered more nouriskhiß than bread.