Page:Association Football and How to Play It (1908) by John Cameron.djvu/22

20 latter should immediately get between the forward and the goal post, especially when his opponent is known to be a dangerous attacker. It is understood that a half-back has much more to do in proportion than any other player in the field, and should always be in the pink of condition. He has infinitely more running and twisting about to do, and should be most elastic. Many wing half-backs are rather prone to wander all over the field, which is a mistake (except in isolated cases). Probably E. Needham, of Sheffield United, was the most adaptable player in this respect, although H. Wilson, the Scottish International, ran him close. The mention of the latter's name brings back to my mind the period before the law as to throwing in the ball from touch was altered. Wilson was the expert, and stood alone. When playing for Sunderland it was nothing unusual for him to throw the ball from the half-way line right into the goal-mouth. Much may have been lost owing to the alteration in the law, for the player now must stand with both feet on the line instead of being able to have a good run ere he parts with the ball. The half-back should be a good shot, and should cultivate taking the ball on the run when shooting at goal. More goals would be scored if the halfbacks did not hesitate but shot straight at the goal. "The man who hesitates is lost," says a well-known proverb, and its truth is shown in half-back shooting as in any other way. Why more goals do not come from the half-back line is a mystery to me, but upon reflection I think it is because