Hockey.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 292, 13 June 1929, Page 8

Hockey.

POINTS FOR PLAYERS. Combination in hc.ckey, as in most other games, is essential to success. All clubs should practice team work and to do this properly, playing members should meet at least once a week, and talk over matches played or to be played, and by means of diagrams on a blackboard work out various moves which later should he practised on the field. By so doing defects are remedied and team work strengthened and that perfect understanding of each other’s play is reached wlreh betokens a side with sound combination. Every move, by every player, at all times, should be made with a purpose. To secure efficient combination it lis essential that the main duties of each player are thoroughly understood, so a brief outline of what is expected of each player will be given.

Too often a goalie’s work is looked upon as a fool’s job, yet it is one of the most important positions in the team. A goalkeeper should he continually on his toes when play is in h ; s half and have his eves glued to the ball. In close play he should always clear to the wings and when there is more time the ball can he slogged downfield, but even then in most cases it is safer to hit to the wings. At a corner hit he should disregard the taker and carefully watch the opposing forwards. He should not hesitate to tell anyone of his own side who habitually gets in his way to move out. Many goals are given away solely because a back has “ unsighted ” the goalie. A goalie should never run out if another defender can get to an attacker before he shoots. On the other hand if an attacker is not covered the goalkeepe! should rush out without hesitation, even if he cannot get to the ball first. By doing so he can cover his goal more easily and he makes the attacker more hurried in his movements and thus less likely to be accurate.

In regard to fullback play, when tackling seldom rush at your man or he will easily outwit you. Two mistakes often made by full hacks are: (1) They stand too far away from the inside forwards opposed to them; (2) they stand too square. Fullbacks should be constantly on the move pivoting on one another and ready to dash in and tackle the inside player or support an attack. In ordinary circumstances a fullback should not' tackle the wing forward. If, however, a wing man has badly beaten the half and comes boring into the circle, he should, of course, do so. In such an instance the left back must watch himself for he will be on the wrong side of the player.

Combination between backs and halves is essential, for a short pass forward will often get a fullback out of serious trouble. Never dribble the ball because this allows the defence to concentrate. Give a quick look round and give a hard pass to a forward unmarked. Other pointers will be given in a further article, when halves and forwards will be dealt with. TEAM. Putaruru Ladies A (v. Matamata). —Mrs. C. D. Brown, Mrs. A. Brown, Misses R. Gallagher, E. Rolfe, M. Kolfe, L. Miller, G. Farrelly, R. Craig, E. Wheeler, O. Benton, E. Daveren.