HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1431, 4 May 1912, Page 12

HOCKEY.

\B? "BUMY-OFV."] SUPPOSE WE IMPROVED IT? Thero are Seme Who Think Hockey is now once again in full 6wifl.g. ami, judging by tiio form shown last ■Saturday, the season is going to bo a successful one. However, at the v«ry outset the coaches point out the old truism that it is absolutely essential that players must trail'., and they ask: Why is it that players will not train? Saturdnv after Saturday at Day's Bay, in tho senior mathces, minutes of a. game, this being owing to poor condition. . T .' lcre . nve some who think that hockey is too light a game to warrant strenuouE preparation. Furthermore—add the coaches and old players—there uro players who never think of using their heads, limy simply bang the ball about to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Lost Saturdays! Day's Bay, in the senior matches, players repeatedly hit tho ball directly to an opponent, when they ka-i plenty of time to scour tho field, Points that Make Experienced .Players 111. Another essential point is players keep, ing their own positions. Every Saturday passes -after passes aro sent out to tho wings, only to find tho line, thoreby causing much waste of time. Then, again, on tho line-out, several senior players have not yet karat how to rail tho ball out. Some even throw, the ball through tho air. Surely this is simple enough to accomplish. Again, as regards fielding tho ball. It is much safer to stop tho ball with the hands when possible. This precludes any possible 'chance of tho ball rebounding, and at tho same timo the tall can bo stopped dead. Furthermore, all players in the forward line should persistently practise at .goat shooting. How many fine forward rushes are nullified through bad shooting. It is a very good plan in practice- for two-playera to stand about twenty yards a.pa-rt"ua indulge in fielding the ball smartly and then hitting it away again. This method stands a forward in good stead for corner hits, which occur frequently in every game.

It is a Game of Roal Skill. If all players will take heed of theao few suggestions and look upon hockey as a game of real skill, and not merely one of banging tho ball aimlessly about, then hockey is sure to go ahead. ' The game would" bo much more spectacular and tho players themselves would derive keener enjoyment. What is better in hockey than to ees a lino concerted movement, culminating in a clinking goal? And there is no other way to obtain this result, but solid, brainy practice. Do not hit tho ball for tire sake of hitting, but lot there be method about your play, and method will result in winning matches. It is still enrly in the season, so it all players, from senior to third class, will digest these suggestions, tho games will be won—not by forco and fleetness of foot, but by brains. We Travel too Far on Saturday*, Another cause that has been hokiinif hockey back is tho question of grounds. Prom Petono to Karori—from Bay's Bay to Dnppa Street—is a long cry, and iif the association could arrange to have all senior matches played on one ground every Saturday, tM?n public interest would bo aroused. Tho distance of playing fields from tho city is a' real hindrance. What hockey wants is publio support, and tho only way. to obtain it is by nearness of grounds to the city. When this question has been satisfactorily settled, there is no doubt that hockey will take its proper rank in field sports—i.e., alongside cricket. Comlno to Last Saturday's Gamti. Coming to last Saturday's games there is scarcely much need for comment. United's tally against Wesley was very respectable, especially as tho six goals wero rattled on iu the second half. For United, Andrews (who shot fivo goals) was in excellent form, whilst M'Eldowney, iu the backs.was n'tower of strength. For Wesley Birch and Keys wero far away the best players on. their tide. The Karori-Weilington match proved a good struggle, ami, considering it was tho first match of tho season, play was very good—tho Karori forwards especially showing fine form. Among their ranks they number Ilillick—a Scottish international— but we did not see enough of him to judge his play. Loader, on tho wing, was as good as ever, his following up being very good. To-day Davios will bo back again in the team," so tho forwards will be stronger than ever. Tho Metropolitan-Government Mfo match was very ragged and uninteresting, but as most of'tho players aro new to senior hockey, thcro is plenty of time for improvement. Baker and M'Gregor, both of tho Metropolitan team, played very good hockey.