FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1930, Page 2

FOOTBALL

TRAINING HINTS.

(By T, Vile, the famous Welsh half-back and referee in. the “Dominion.”)

Most of the eminently successful sides in all the countries have had real captaincy and popular captaincy. The best way to create team spirit is to keep the players together—not to encourage them to slip away immediately a game is over.

In my days as a captain I always welcomed the opportunity to get away with the players to a match which necessitated an overnight stay in another town. That threw the players into close contact with each other and enabled them to know each other as friends as well as players. The effect upon the team, as a whole was most marked.

Great benefit also would result from a long walk together one night a weeK. This would help to create friendships, and would give the players necessary exercise.

Captains at this early stage in the season should make it a rule also to see that their men are punctual so as not to delay games, that their football kit is in good condition, and that there is no legitimate grievance among them. They should also try to create the greater good feeling between the pivots of the team—the halfbacks.

I would stress the necessity for as much ball practice as possible, and as much line-out work as is practicable. Rugby football is a handling game. Obviously, then, the correct way to train is not. to take part in nil orgy of aimless kicking. But is is not only because in Rugby football the ball should be handled that it is undesirable to train by kicking; there is a much more serious argument a.j w\iss it than tnat.

Players at this stage have not “found their legs,’’ arid they run 'a. serious risk of damaging themselves and their prospects by not first oi' all developing the muscles naturally. More and more the tendency to-day is to do as little walking as possible. The result is that the muscles of the leg are not fit for strenuous exercise or the “jars” which accompany hard kicking.

. The. throwing of a Rugby hall against a blank wall or against the pailings of the ground will result in the development of accurate catching and quickness, of'eye, ’both of which are essential.

Players, may also get dribbling practice in whatever position they play, and here let me stress the fact that it is useless attemping to dribble the ball with the toe.

The correct method is to use the instep, where there is more feeling and greater accuracy can be attained in ball control. It is impossible to control the ball with the toe. It must be clone with the instep. I would emphasise the need for doing everything possible to attain speech and perhaps I ought to add that T would make an exception of the fullback in regard to kicking—he should by reason, of his duties, have more kicking practice than any other member of the side.

After wind and speed have been attained a little practice at drop-kicking or punting, or both, may be tried. I know that usually training is done on reverse lines from those I mention, but J can assure young players —and those who have had some experience —that they are much more likely to develop and to reach perfection ol condition if they follow the order oi movements as I have set them out.

All games require a certain amount of self-sacr.ifi e, . and 1 strongly advise Rugby footballers to cut down their smoking, and —if possible—to get to bed at a rather earlier hour than they have probably been accustomed to, while those who live in town, would be well advised to take considerable walking exercise.

And now I would like to refer to another important factor—that is dress. Every Rugby footballer shook see to it at the commencement of the season that be has a pair' of boot that really fit him, and. clothes that fi him, too.

I have seen many a good forward, fo instance, playing a very ordinary game especially in the line-out, as he had re peatedly to be puling at his knicks because they were a bad fit. In the long run it is very much better to buy a good pair of shoes and good knicks than to take cheaper articles, which, in the case of boots, would be found to be, a couple of sizes too big on the first wet day, One further word, especially to the young players. At this time of the year old players frequently make a practice of visiting the dressing-rooms and discussing features and phases of piav.

Let me appeal to the young player to listen attentively to what is said. They may know nine out of every ten points mentioned, but the tenth might be something they had no knowledge of, and it might make the difference between becoming an outstanding player or just being one of the ordinary players.