LADIES’ HOCKEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 September 1939, Page 8

LADIES’ HOCKEY

ADVICE TO PLAYERS

BY LES. M. MURPHY. (Wellington Ladies’ Hockey “Critic.”)

These articles are drawing near to a close and today I deal with the inside right and the centre forward, attacking and circle work.

As an inside right, you must remember' that you must be always ready to attack. Your positional play must be practically faultless, otherwise the crowding of your centre or wings wlil prove disastrous. At all times know the disposition of not only your own forwards, but also the opposing defence, and be ready to snap into an opening should the opportunity present itself. Watch for the right moment to give or take a pass, for the opportune pass is the real solution of a successful inside right’s game. By moving too slowly ahead to'take a pass or by passing too late, the attacking movements are likely to break down. First-time passing is better than foolish attempts to try to beat the defence single-handed, and that means that you must combine with both your centre and right wing. Not only that, but you must also be ready and able to interchange positions with either of these players should the necessity arise. Never play selfishly. The side retaining possession of the ball must hold the advantage; therefore it is far better to pass freely than to hold on to the ball and eventually lose it. It follows, of course, that it is important for your pass to be made correctly. Hit the ball cleanly and crisply in a direction slightly ahead of you'r partner, then follow up ready for a return pass should one come your way. Practice, passing to either side. Tackling back is an important part of your duty when you lose possession on the attack. Also when your halves and backs are hard pressed you should not fail to fall back and help. Should you get the ball, pass it to your wing, for, as a general rule, it is a sound move to pass to the wing when on defence and to the inside players when on attack.

Once you reach the circle, shoot hard and quickly. To dally with the ball, tapping it to try to work it into a better position, usually proves disastrous. Remember that the first time shot is the best. If, however, you find yourself forced almost on to the goal-line, do not attempt to score unless the opening is absolutely clear. It .is better to pass the ball back to one of your forwards waiting for the opportunity to find the net Always follow in on another forward’s shot at goal. Centre Forward, Attacking. Circle Work. The centre forward should always move in the straightest possible line to the goal. She must see that her inside forwards do not crowd in on her and cramp her style and thus allow the defence to concentrate more on the centre. She must vary the line of attack for her task is to keep the opposing defence continually guessing. When the attack is approaching the circle she should always be ready to snap into an opening, ready to accept a pass or (if she has the ball) ready to pass to one of her own unmarked colleagues in a better position than herself. , On approaching the circle, should the defence be concentrated on the centre, a well-directed pass to an inside forward or wing will often prove a successful move. How often is the standard of circle work proved to be the distance between success and failure in scoring goals Learn to shoot properly and quickly from anywhere in the circle, except, of course, from ridiculous and impossible acute angles. Do not dally with the shot, for delay, no matter how little, is positively fatal. If the defence is well back, remember that once the circle is gained it is imperative to make one hit and make it quickly with, the greatest precision possible. Should the centre forward find herself about to be tackled just as she is going to make her shot, she should forget about her own chances of increasing her own goal tally and pass to one of her colleagues who is in a better position than herself and who will probably add to her team’s score.

Should any of the other forwards have a shot at goal, the centre forward should follow in on the shot in the hope of having another shot should the ball rebound from the goalkeeper’s pads. In the case of the centre forward gaining the circle after a solo breakaway and with only the goalkeeper to beat, she should try to work the ball as near as possible, drawing the custodian from her post, then flicking the ball past her. if possible on her left side.

(Concluded next Monday.)