HOCKEY HINTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2872, 18 April 1925, Page 3

HOCKEY HINTS.

(By “Bully”) Goal-keeper: —The goal-keeper is one of the most important players on the field; She must be cool and self-controlled and have a good eye, and be full of resource. The position she should take up is on the left side of the goal and as the most dangerous shots come from' the opponents rig-lit wing, she will be able to cover the left corner of goal with left leg and foot and the right half with right leg, foot and stick. Stopping the ball with the hand, skirt, flooping to one’s knees, kicking with the foot are all permissible to this playei-. Stopping the ball with the foot turned over slightly on its outer edge is a splendid plan as it does not hurt the foot and there is no waste of time stooping. When a corner hit is taken the goal-keeper should occupy 7 the left corner of the goal, and one of the backs the right hand corner. When the defending forwards rush out, they should keep clear of the goal, to enable the backs to deal successfully and clearly with the ball. It is advisable for a goal-keeper to keep within her circle. The wearing of shin-pads is advised for goal-keepers. Full-backs.—Full backs should have a good knowledge of their half-backs in front of them, as without combination with them, their play is of little avail. She should steady the ball and pass to the wing half and above all be sure of her aim. So much depends on the ball not passing her, that her shot must be deliberate and true. In the event of a fullback being beaten by an opposing forward, she should go back and Jackie, and even if she cannot again get the ball, she will probably have broken the shot to goal. A full-back should not wander further than the half-way line not even as far unless the play is all in the opposing circle. Half-backs: —On the half-backs fall the most of the game. They are the mainstay of their team. They must be always ready behind the* forwards, and yet assist their fullbacks in defence. Probably the most important of the three is the centre-half. She should mark her opposing centre-forward this i 3 a most important point —although she must devote some attention to the two inner forwaids also. The wing halves must mark the opposing wing forwards. When following up an attack by their ow 7 n forwards, they should keep near their outside line to intercept a pass by an opponent to an outside player. It is advisable for a half to generally take the ball on her stick, that is, without first stopping it, then, if possible, dribble it a little to draw her opponent and pass quickly to her forward thus left alone. W&ien defending, a half should be careful not to hamper her backs, but be ready to seize the ball and pass to the waiting forwards. For a corner hit on her ow-n wing, the half should place herself a little behind her inner forward to be ready to re-centre the ball in case of a mis-hit, but the opposite wing half should be a good dead further back and out in case of a quick pass to the wings. A wing half should take the “roll-

I in” to enable her forwards to bo

well up the field, and thus give the throw in as much value as possible. The halves should not enter the circle in an attack, as they will find it more advantageous to be ready to hit back into circle than to muddle up their forwards’ play, and also they are badly needed in case of a forward attack in the circle, to prevent the ball from being carried up the field with nobody but their full-backs to defend. • Perhaps the only time a half should be in a position to strike a goal is in the case of a penalty corner, when a forward stops the ball, and, stepping aside, leaves it to be struck from within the circle to goal by I he centre half, who generally takes this hit.

Forwards. —The main play for forwards is combination. They must also be qui«k in pace as well as in giving and taking passes, and in shooting at goal. As the ball should always be cleared to the wings by the defence, the outside wings should keep within the five yard line as much as possible. When a forward loses the ball, she should go back and tackle, and even if she does not regain the ball she has the satisfaction of spoiling her opponent’s pass and saves her half-back. One of the main facts for a forward to keep in mind is to dribble until her opponent is drawn, and then quickly pass to her next forward or across the field. This depends on whether she is near the circle or not; if the 25-line is reached she should pass to the centre only. Always pass forward, is a good rule. Forwards should always take passes on the stick. Outside forwards must, centre as soon as t lie 25-line is reached. It is better to centre too early than too late. Always rush the backs, however far they mav have to go, is also a good rule. Never stand still and watch a back get in a good hit. Only the two inner wings, and cen-tre-forward should shoot goals; the outside wings should be outside the circle considerably in order to return the ball into the circle should it come out. Of course, wings should not miss a chance at goal, but if the forwards played as they should there would be no necessity for them to be in the circle, except in the case of a wing having a clear run through into the circle. After shooting at goal, the inside forwards should rush the goalkeeper, in case the hit has miscarried. Inside forwards can go as far back almost as their opponents’ 25-line, but only if badly attacked by the opposing side. Wings are advised to keep to the half line. When one forward takes up the bai, all the others run up in line to take the passes—one dragging behind will spoil the combination. Even if losing badly, forwards should plaj an attacking game, as they will never get goals by keeping the defence.