LADIES' HOCKEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1939, Page 8

LADIES' HOCKEY

ADVICE TO PLAYERS WHAT RECRUITS SHOULD KNOW. LEFT HANDERS AND OBSTRUCTION. (BY LES. M. MURPHY) (Wellington Ladies’ Hockey Critic.) Last week a correspondent wrote asking the correct way to grip the stick and hit the ball. I propose enlightening her on that point in today’s article, also on left hand play and obstruction. There are many players who, undoubtedly, are as anxious as my correspondent to be enlioghtened on the correct way to grip the stick and gain the full power behind the drive. The grip on the stick must vary, according to the., style of the pass or the hit being attempted, but, without going into detailed explanations, a few of the general rules will probably suffice. The right hand should always be lower on the stick than the left, and both hands should grip the stick slightly down from the top. According to my correspondent’s explanation she apparently holds the stick with both hands high up the handle which explains itself for her inability to hit the ball with the desired degree of success.

By gripping the handle too high the shot will not only lack sting, but there will be a great tendency for the player to give “sticks,” exactly as has been the correspondent’s case. On the other hand, a too low grip, although perhaps reducing the possibility of giving sticks, will definitely weaken the shot and allow it to be more easily intercepted. When taking a free hit, or when a back is clearing, both hands should be close together and slightly down from the top of the stick, but when a flick or push shot is being attempted, then it is necessary for the right hand to be shifted further down the handle, just a few inches, in order to add extra leverage and ensure greater accuracy. WRISTWORK, FOOTWORK AND BALANCE. Wristwork, footwork and correct balance, together with perfect timing, play a greater part in the successful hitting of the ball than most players realise. The shifting of tire weight of the body from the right foot on to the left at the moment of impact will add yards to your hit. Endeavour to get into a position with your feet slightly apart to give sound balance and about 12in. to 16in. from the ball, so that you can hit it comfortably without having to reach out for it. Should the ball be too close to your feet you will be forced to give a more perpendicular swing, with the risk of “sticks.” If it is too far away from your feet and you have to reach out and make a pronounced sweeping shot, then the chances of a weak and inaccurate hit are greatly increased. A forward will probably at first find it difficult to achieve the correct footwork while hitting when on the move, but practice will gradually lead to perfection, and wristwork and timing will come naturally. Remember, it is the wristwork and timing which add power to your shots, and it is the accuracy and strength of those shots which mean the success of your game.

The ball is usually played on the right side of the player who uses the flat face of her stick to hit it, but sometimes it is necessary to play it from her left side. It will be seen that only the toe of the stick is playing the ball, and that very little power can be given to a reverse hit, as the stroke must be made with a quick flick of the wrists. Therefore, should a player find the ball on her left side, she should endeavour to swing it back to her right side as soon as possible, for, although it may be a pretty stroke if quickly executed, the reverse shot is more likely to result in -failure and cause trouble to her side.

The Englishwomen who toured this country last year were, so far ( as ladies’ hockey is concerned, adepts in the use of the “push” and “flick” strokes, their supple wrists, combined with perfect timing and balance, enabling them to put surprising power behind these shots, while their accuracy was uncanny. The forwards could push the ball considerable distance with a flick of the wrists. As mentioned earlier, the grip for such strokes is slightly different. The right hand is slipped further down the stick for better control, and thp ball is pushed from the centre of the blade. Greater accuracy can be attained, and it is much easier to change the line of attack by this method than by a ‘hit shot.” Both these strokes are invaluable to players on the left side, for they enable them to make smart passes without wasting time to make a half turn in order to hit the ball. Also, they are able to conceal the direction of the pass until the last possible moment. Forwards, especially the left wing and left inner, will find them invaluable when shooting at goal, for they are not only able

to shoot without slackening pace, but can also conceal the direction of the hit. Always remember efficient stroke play can only be achieved by practice, and then some more practice. LEFT-HAND PLAY AND OBSTRUCTION. Another very interesting point is about the left-hand player and obstruction. I have noticed a number of lefthand players playing in Wellington this season and some fine attacking movements have been spoilt through their hitting the ball with the reversed side of the stick. As you might be aware, the round end of the stick must not be used, so the left-hand player must’use the stick on the left hand with the curved side upward.. To be able to turn the crook of the stick inwards and successfully play the ball with a left handed shot is certainly an acquisition to any player, but the greatest care must always be exercised, lest, when the stroke is used, she obstructs an opponent. To my mind it is not necessary for the left hander to come into contact with a player who is in a legal position in order to be guilty of obstruction. If both players are sufficiently close to one another to cause the left-hander to scare the opponent, she comes under the phrase in the rules which holds that she “must not in any way interpose herself as an obstruction.” The difference in rendering the rules of the game in different centres makes it expedient that a close and literal reading of them by players is essential, and to no, rule does this apply more than obstruction. (Continued next week.)