Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/473

 451 HOCKEY FOR GIRLS By PERCY LONGHURST -/'. National Amaiettf Wrestling Association^ Author of ^^ WiestUng^^ ^^Jin Jitsu. Olympic Games, tqo8. L'oHtiitued from pai:t jg7, Pari 3 No, 3. RULES AND HINTS RICRIATIONa ^cia! Referee Although the ball may not be sent along the ground otherwise than by means of the stick, except by the goalkeeper and the player who rolls the ball into play again when it has crossed either of the side lines, it is permitted that the ball be caught while in the air, but it must be dropped immediately. Stopping its course by means of the clothes or person, except the foot, is forbidden. If the foot be used, it must be withdrawn at once. The goalkeeper has the right to kick the ball, but only if she be within her own striking circle. When the ball rolls out of play across the side lines, a player of the opposite team to that which sent it out of play rolls or throws it along the ground (bouncing is prohibited) from the point where it crossed the line. The ball may be sent in any direction the roUer-in chooses, but she may not play the ball until it has been struck by another player. When a roll-in takes place no player ought to be standing within the five yards line, but the line may be crossed immediately the ball leaves the hand of the roUer-in. To prevent the game becoming rough, such conduct as obstruction, running in between a player and the ball, charging, intentional pushing, tripping, hooking or striking of sticks is considered foul, and the penalty of a free hit against her side awai.s the misdemeanant. It is when a player wishes to pass back, the ball being on her left and an opponent dashing up to get the ball, that the value of the back-hand play referred to in the previous article becomes evident. The striker may not turn and thrust herself in front of her opponent (as above), but, by using the back- hand stroke, she is able to send the ball away to a friendly player behind her. "Bullying" The game is started by a." bully-off " from the centre of the ground. Penalty buUies may also be given for various infringements, and bullies also re-start the game after an abortive attempt has been made at goal, the ball having passed over the goal line. All buUics are taken in the same way and per- formed thus : The two players taking the bully, the opposing centre-forwards usually at a bully- off, the offender and any other member of the opposing team, in the case of a penalty bully, stand facing each other, the ball on the ground between them. And each must so stand that she is squarely facing the side line. A sidelong position, with the near foot drawn backward, thus permitting; the pivoting of the body to the left as a stroke ts made, is prohibited. Each player then strikes the ground on her own side of the ball, and her opponent's stick over the ball. The complete action is taken alternately by each, and is repeated three times by each. After this either player is at liberty to hit the ball as quickly as she can, and thus put it into play. In all cases of bullying, the penalty bully excepted, the remaining players of each side must be nearer to their own goal line than the ball is. In other words, all but the two engaged in the bully must be behind the ball. A penalty bully is taken on the spot where the breach occurred, and all the other players are required to be beyond the nearer 25 yards line. If in the course of a penalty bully the ball cross the goal line, but not between the goal-posts, off the offender's stick, the bully is taken again. If, however, the ball go between the goal-posts — that is, a goal is scored — then the attacking side is awarded a goal, which is of the same value as an ordinary goal. This may seem hard, but penalty bullies are ordered only for wilful breaches of a rule which, in the opinion of the umpire, have prevented the scoring of a goal to the attacking side. Penalty bullies thus in- variably take place within the striking circle. It is obvious that wilful breaches of a rule are more serious when taking place inside the striking circles than outside, hence punishments for the same are more severe. But penalty bullies are not always the punishment ; occasionally a " penalty corner " is held to meet the merits of the case, and then only when the defending side is in fault. The attackers similarly offending are punished by a free hit being awarded to their opponents. This is but fair, since some measure of consideration and worth deserves to be attached to the superior skill or play of the side which has carried th« ball into its opponent's striking circle. A " penalty corner " is taken thus. A player of the attacking side takes un- hindered a hit from any point on the goal line she may choose that is 10 yards or more from the nearest goal-post. Her own side must be at the time in the field of play out- side the striking circle, while all the defending team must take up a position behind their own goal line. Of course, the object of the player who takes such a penalty hit (and she must not touch the ball again until some other player has touched it) is to drive the ball inside the striking circle so that her side may reach it and take a clear shot at goal — which the defenders are at liberty to prevent imme- diately the penalty hit has been made. To be continued