ADVICE TO PLAYERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1939, Page 8

ADVICE TO PLAYERS

DUTIES OF WING HALVES. By LES M. MURPHY (Wellington Ladies’ Hockey Critic.) This week’s article is confined to the duties of wing half-backs, also the difficulties confronting the left half. The chief duty of a right half is to keep her opposing left wing in subjection, and to assist her own forwards, especially when play is concentrated on their right flank. The wing-forwards are usually chosen because of their extra pace, and a wing half should always bear this in mind when supporting her own forwards on attack, as she will then he forced to risk leaving her opponent unmarked to a certain extent, j However, with careful study and attention to positional play she can reduce the risk by working herself into such a position that she will be able to easily intercept the clearance should her forwards lose possession of the ball. Support Wing on Attack.

Many right wing halves appear to hold the view that their duty is confined to checking the opposing wingforward and rolling hr the ball when the occasion demands. That is not so, there being other duties attached to the position. For example when attacking from a mid-field position, in fact at any time when your own forwards are riot in the opposition's 25, the right half should feed her wing forward. The pass should be made with sufficient strength to enable the wing to trap it with her stick, without slackening her- pace. From what I have seen of wing halfback play I cannot say that the passes to wing-forwards have been generally sent on with desirable judgment. It is here that the wing half must exercise sound judgment and pay particular attention to the direction of her hit, so that the ball travels slightly ahead of the wing-forward, but at such a pace that the latter can overtake and gather it in with her stick before the opposition defence can claim possession. Once the forwards are past the opposing 25 then the right half should endeavour to pass in to the centre. When play is in midfield, the right half should always be ready to accept a pass from her own back, or from the centre-half by getting herself well positioned to make it a simple matter for either of them to pass to her should they be tackled.

1 Should Be Complete Understanding. There should be a complete understanding between the right half and the right full-back. Both these players should and must know one another’s methods if their play is to be a success. For instance, if the opposing left wing has a good start and the right half is too far behind to catch her, the right back will immediately come out to tackle, tvhile the half makes a direct line for the circle edge to cover and to mark the opposing inside left. Left Half's Difficulties. The player in the left half position will find that many of the foregoing remarks will apply equally as well to her play, except, if course, that the names of the positions will be reserved. The left half will find that she has more

difficulties in tackling than her vis-a-vis has, and must be very careful how she approaches an opponent. She can easily get herself into such a position that she must come in to tackle from the wrong side, and so run the risk of being penalised. This can be avoided to a certain extent by maintaining a position further out nearer the sideline. The opponent she must mark is the right wing, and remember, “marking” does not mean following her everywhere she goes, but just watching her closely and countering her movements by anticipating the run of play, so that a position can be taken which will enable an interception to be made should

the ball be passed to her. If unable to intercept tackle immediately and try to prevent the winger from making her centre. Therefore the wing half should stick to the right wing, even if she is passed, and bustle her to the point of spoiling her attempt to centre. Remember the left half has probably the most difficult position on the field, as she is unable to hit with a natural swing, except perhaps when passing to her own left wing. Most of her other hits will necessitate a partial turn of the body, unless she resorts to the reverse shot or exploits the push pass. (Continued on Monday.)