Girls and Athletics. Various
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How to Hold Stick.
The stick should be firmly held in both hands, with the left hand gripping the handle at the end (top) of stick with the fingers forward; the right hand grips the stick directly below the left hand, touching but not overlapping the left hand. The hands should never be separated because this tends to make a player stoop over, thus losing in strength of stroke. At the beginning of the stroke, the stick should be carried back toward the right (the right arm must be kept straight to avoid “sticks”—a foul, see Rule III) until the left arm is straight; then the stick should be carried forward, striking ball squarely. At the finish of the stroke, the right arm should still be kept straight and the end of stick turned in (i.e., toward body) and down to avoid making “sticks” at end of stroke.
While the stick is not in use or while player is running it should be carried in both hands horizontally at comfortable height, as long as it is below the shoulder.
Let us consider the forward line. It is made up of five positions: left wing, left inside, center forward, right inside, right wing. Players for these positions should be selected for the following qualifications: ability to run with average speed; ability to shoot hard, clean goals; endurance and wind necessary for constant sprints. It is up to the forwards to keep the ball in the opponents’ territory; for this, there are two ways of advancing the ball—passing and dribbling.
Passing.
Passing, since it is less individual and makes for more team play, should be ranked first. There are short and long passes. The short are generally quick passes between a forward and her nearest teammate, that is, between an inside and center or between an inside and wing. The long pass is across the center from the left side of the field to the right, or vice versa. All passes should be quick, clean and accurate. Here are a few things to avoid: Don’t pass the ball straight ahead so that it goes to one of opposing team. Don’t pass behind your own forward line. Don’t pass to a guarded player. Don’t wait to pass until you have been attacked, thus hurrying your pass. Don’t (especially when passing to the wings) put all your strength in the stroke, sending the hardest ball you can.
Dribbling.
Next to passing comes dribbling. Every forward should know how to dribble. In dribbling the ball, both hands should be kept close together at the top of the stick; the stick is sometimes turned so that the flat side is forward; the wrist and hands are adjusted to any position of the stick. Only a few players are skilled enough to dribble with one hand. The ball should be kept close to the stick, slightly in advance of the runner. The most common fault is that the dribbler follows the ball instead of sending the ball just where she desires. The player who is a good dribbler keeps the ball under control, no matter how speedily she is running. If the ball is sent ahead too far then the dribbler is apt to lose control, but if it is kept close to the stick and just barely touched each time it is easier to manage. The dribbler should remember: never crouch over the ball, but stand erect; never let the ball get too far ahead; never permit an opponent to get so close that you cannot pass the ball to a teammate quickly. Never keep the ball selfishly.
The Bully.
The forwards are called on frequently to bully—the start and twenty-five-yard bully (see Rule I)—so the bully should be practised until each forward is quick and accurate. There should be an understanding among the forwards and halfbacks as to which way the ball will be hit out on the bully so that some one is always ready for it. The right hand should grip almost three-quarters way down the stick, the player then must bend over the stick. The feet are wide apart, planted firmly on the ground. (See Rule for Bully.) After the three separate “grounds and sticks” the ball is hit out. It is here that quickness and skill count. The halfbacks—one from each team—always back up a bully to help their forwards.
Shooting Goals.
It is not necessary to say that it is most important for a forward to shoot goals. She should shoot as often, as hard and as accurately as she can, and she must follow her shots in. This is her main duty and no forward is up to the mark unless she can shoot goals.
Center Forward.
Center forward is the keystone position. Her duties are to bully off at the center (for start and after each goal), to keep the forwards in a straight line, to shoot goals, to distribute passes to the left and right sides evenly. If a center forward has a clear field it is all right for her to dribble, but, as a rule, she should play a passing game. She also has many opportunities to shoot.
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