FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1930, Page 6

FOOTBALL

RUGBY HINTS

In my last article, writes Tommy' Vile in the “Dominion,” I dealt with the timing of passes and tlie way in which passes should be given. I have already deprecated the too frequent tendency of the man with the ball to pass too soon. Another thing I want to say is that the man with the ball should never pass to a man who is not in a better position than himself —-unless, of course, he is a link with someone beyond who is better placed. How ofUn we see a man pass when the player who receives the ball is ‘hopelessly hemmed in; how often we see a man pass when there is an opponent immediately between him and the man who naturally would b 6. expected to take his pass. It is worse than useless to pass under such conditions. Very often it i,s a direct invitation to an opponent to intercept. When it is dangerous or useless to pass—as in the latter case—the short punt ahead is justified; but it must be really a short punt—a kick which is just over the three-quarter line and short of .the full-back.

“THE DUMMY.”

Condemnation of the punt on has been unsparing, and, indeed, it has been justified by the foolish tendency of players in recent years to sacrifice possession' by kicking when the right game was to pass and there was a chance 'of doing something (by passing. But the punt on is a legitimate weapon in the armoury of attack. It has been condemned because players who use it have shown no sort of judgment as to when and where to kick. But players must not forget that there, is such a thing as “the dummy”—a man who seems to be badly ■ placed can sometimes slip through the defence through, feinting to pass and at the same moment making his burst for the half-opening before him.

By all means try to “sell the dummy” occasionally, but don’t overdo it, and when, you have successfully sold the dummy to two men,' for .goodness sake don’t play the fool and try to beat the full-back with a third “dummy” and two men. clear. The man who does this is tempting providence, a nd he usually gets what he deserves—though there are no kicks hard enough for the man who throws away victory for his side by the foolish attempt to score himself when men are clear.

Now for the taker of the pass. His first duty is to remember that lie must put himself in a position to receive a pass. The tendency seems to be to expect the man, carrying the bail to secure a position to give a pass.

BEATING THE DEFENCE

The* purpose of a combined run is to beat the defence, -not. to treat the spectators to pretty but futile passing. One reason why there -is so much passing which leads to . nothing is because the man with i" the ball—outside, half or centre Three-quarter—so often is thinking . chiefly of passing, not of beating the defence.

If the possible taker of the ball does his part consistently he will inspire the carrier of the ball with confidence that he will be in the right position to take the pass when it is necessary to give it. He will position himself, and immediately the carrier reaches the proper point he will know that he simply has to get on his right foot and swing the ball out. Ill' the carrier is getting away,, the man who is waiting for a pass may. very well let his fellow-player know lie is there. “I am with you” will let him know not only that there is someone there- to take a pass, but will-actually indicate the exact whereabouts of the taker.

The advantage of the taker getting into position to receive a pass is that the carrier of the ball can direct all his energies and thoughts to his proper task of drawing or beating the defence; if he is thinking first and chiefly of how and when he is to pass —thinking of where the man is.' to; whom lie is to pass—he cannot devote the necessary energy and attention to attacking.

But if the possible taker of the ball habitually does his part (if he recognises his duty to g,et into position, if lie gives the signal 'that is neces sary), then both men arc more effective.

When the would-be taker of the pass is in position, the first point to remember is, “Keep your eye on the ball.” Never mind' your opponent. Don’t bother about him. Your business is to make sure of taking the pass when it is given. We see men run up, looking at their opponents, not at the ball, and when the pass is given they snatch at it and miss it. Oh, yes! Keep your eye on the ball!

TAKING THE PASS

When the ball leaves the passer's band, if it is coining from the left, extend the right hand with the fingers fully extended and slightly hooked. Use the left hand as a cup, also with the fingers extended, arid when the ball touches the right hand close in the left hand and draw the ball in to the 'breast.

It is of supremo importance that men who play Rugby football should have good hands for the catching of the ball from a kick or the taking of it pass. The other day 1 was watching a Rugby footballer who is also a. fielder at slip, and it was remarkable how liis cricket experience taught him to keep his eye on the ball. The result was that he never missed a pass.

Occasionally we see men tossing the ball with one hand. Sometimes we see men raising their hands a!rive their heads and throwing the ball down hard at the chest of the man fpi whom it is intended. Sometimes we see the ball twisting in the air as if. passes from one player to anothei. These are faults which should be avoided.

Piayers who have not yet mastered the arts of giving and taking passes ought to practise, and practise after having thought out- tho theory of the game.