FOOTBALL NOTES.

Shannon News, 5 August 1927, Page 1

FOOTBALL NOTES.

HINTS TO RUGBYITES. Dealing with, passing, Arthur Hennossy (the famous New South Wales Rugbv coach) gives some examples of the benefits to be derived from adopting a proper position from which to transfer the ball, and indicates the virtue of running to the man of attack that is seldom adopted nowadays. Always remember, when giving a pass, to turn the body, from the hips up, towards the man you intend to get the bail, so that you will be almost facing him. Thus you will find that your eye is on the spot where you expect the hall to strike. If this .system be adopted, the ball will strike the spot desired, as naturally the eye has a great influence over the direction of the pass. This is particularly the case when going at top speed. Just fix your eye on the spot you want the ball to strike, and you will find that it will go there almost invariably. But you can't locate your spot definitely unless you turn properly. Many good opportunities have been lost by a player not looking where he is passing. Such a man should be dropped into a lower grade until he has demonstrated that he has learned his lesson. A mistake common to a lot of players is that they look into a comrade's face when passing, with the result that the ball travels too high, albeit the intention may have been to send it towards the waist. Try it and see how easy it is to commit that fault. Running to Your Man. One effective way of passing is to run to your man—that is, making your opponent tackle you whether he likes it or not. In this case you carry the ball as directed, but in turning the body the hips arc turned too, so that one will strike the opponent's shoulder at the moment of giving the pass. You will be put out of play, but so will your opponent. This method is best when you are coming to the full-back or when you are in the position of having two or more men to one. It puts your opponent out of the game for the moment and enhances the prospect of a free run for your comrades.

The method also applies to eases in a passing rush among the three-quar-ters, in which your side has a man extra, as is often the case. If each man runs to his man and compels a tackle, it leaves the.winger, as the extra man, with only the full-back in the way.

This is a phase of the game rarely seen nowadays, and its cultivation will be found highly profitable.

Correct Passing,

Lifting the ball off the ground when going at top speed is an obligation a player is often called upon to fulfil. When done suceessfirlly this often means a good deal to a side, but it takes some doing, while a player is so apt to knock-on and thus lose a good chance of progressing. If you find the ball is stationary, don't run straight at it. Go a little to the side, placing one hand under the ball as if you were going to scoop it. and the other on the top. After a little practice you will find yourseli able to lift the ball quicklv and clean By running straight at the ball there is greater risk of knocking-on, kicking forward or falling when bending, be cause you will find that, in order tc make any attempt to lift the ball when going straight at it, you will have to stop almost dead. In the case of a rolling ball, nevei stop to make an attempt to lift if Tliat is very hard to do, the risk oi knocking on being very great. Keej' it at your too with light kicks lint: it bounces a bit, when you have r. chance of picking up with greater cor taintv.

Xovor fear that there won't be a bounce. The cases when one does no! come arc exceedingly rnre. -fo satisfy yourself just try it. Yon will find thai a ball dribbled along will become as high as your hands three or four times in lo yards.