Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/163

 '43 RBCREATIONS lo use only a single stick during her hockey career, and the high-priced article plays no better than one of the price mentioned. Shin-guards are seldom worn by good [)Iayers, except such as act as goalkeepers, and then not so much for the sake of pro- tection of the limbs from blows as that the wearing of them enables the custo- d i a n m o r e efficiently to -de- fend her goal from vigorous shots. In the matter of footgear some have a preference for shoes, alleging that greater speed in running is pos- sible. This may be so, but boots are recommended. After the opening bully Sfort and Gtnernl Hockey is a game requirmg an immense amount of running about, sudden checks in running, and the quick turning at awkward angles. By the wearing of boots the ankle is strengthened and safeguarded against a disagreeable twist or sprain that may result in an unpleasant!}' prolonged rest. Boots must not he spiked. A blouse, or shirt, and a skirt of not too great weight and fulness around the hem is the correct costume. The skirt must he al least eight inches from the ground, and even if shortened a little more there will be lessened impediment to running. Serge is a good material, if it be not too heavj''. The different associations have their own colours, which all players are required to wear. Those of All-England arc white blouse, scarlet skirt and belt, and a badge of three roses. The Northern ladies favour white shirt and tie, navy skirt and cross belt. The Midland Association colours are grey skirt, white shirt, scarlet tie and hat-band; the shirt and hat- band bear a scarlet and white badge. In the west the uniform is white blouse, blue skirt, scarlet brassard, with badge on right arm, scarlet waist- band and long scarlet tie. The badge is cross- hockev sticks with letter V. The Southern Associa- tion requires green skirt and tie and white shirt ; while that of East Anglia has fixed upon brown shirt and skirt, wliite collars and cufis, and brown and white tie. Most players prefer to be bareheaded, but in any case, sailor or other hard-brimmed hats are not permissible, nor may hatpins be worn. Breaking through the defence RULES AND REGULATIONS A team consists of eleven players — five forwards, three half-hacks, two backs, and a goalkeeper : this formation is not, however, compulsory. A few hints on the game will be of interest to would-be players. A goal is scored when the ball is driven between the goal- posts. The ball may be caught with the hand, but must be im- mediately dropped, or stopped by the foot — to he at once withdrawn after- wards ; hut it may not he carried or thrown or kicked, or moved in any way except with the stick. Infraction of these rules calls for a penalty. The same is demanded should a player, at the completion or beginning of a stroke bring any part of her stick above the shoulders. Hockey is frequently denounced as a rough game, but the rules are all against roughness. Tripping or pushing of any kind is forbidden, as is the pushing of oneself between a player and the ball, or any such form of obstruction ; nor is hooking or striking at an opponent's stick permitted. Generally speaking, the ball should be hit along the ground, and " undercutting " is prohibited ; but the scoop stroke is per- mitted (except when a free hit is given), and the ball may be struck while in the air, providing the striker does not give " sticks." A free hit to the opposing side is the usual penalty for rule breaking. When played according to the rules, and in the proper spirit, there is nothing rough or dangerous in the game, and objections on this head have no real foundation. But a player must be fit and strong, for she has to con- tinually be on the move, and the regulation period for each "half" is thirty- five minutes, while the ground is, or should be, TOO yards in length, and 55 yards in width. The novice's difficulty is off- side; the seasoned player's com- nionest fault over- anxiety to score, particularly if she be a wing forward, when the temptation, on getting the ball, is strong to race down the side line and endeavour to shoot a goal on her own account, although the proper play would be to shoot back to a fellow-player in the centre. Though the forwards have a sufficiently Sfiort and General