Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/598

 RECREATIONS 574 HOCKEY FOR GIRLS By PERCY LONGHURST y.-P. National AmaUtir Wrestling Association, Author of " Wrestling,'^ '■'Jiu JitsttP Olympic Games, igo8. Continued from f>asre 451, Part s No. 4. RULES AND HINTS Official Referee, T HE attackers, however, are under certain restrictions in their attempts to score a goal from a penalty corner. A flying hit at the ball is not permitted when it has left the taker of the penalty hit ; the ball must first be stopped dead with foot or stick before the shot at goal is taken. The penalty for taking a flying hit at goal is a free hit to the defenders. An ordinary " corner " is taken in almost precisely the same manner, the only difference being that the striker taking the corner hit is confined to a point within three yards of the nearest corner flag. A " corner " is given to Whether " off-side " takes place within or without the striking circles the penalty remains the same — a free hit to ^he opposing team on the spot where the breach occurred. Though " off-side " regulations may appear complicated, the player will find very little trouble in observing the rules. When in her opponent's half of the ground all that she has to remember is not to play the ball should she happen to find herself in front of it and it is sent in her direction by one of her own team. The following brief hints concerning the different members of a team may be useful. the attacking team when, within the 25 yards line, the ball glances off, or is unin- tentionally sent by one of the defending side across the goal line. Intentional sending of the ball over her own goal line by a defender is punished by a " penalty corner." A player is " off-side " when she is, at any time when the ball is hit or rolled in by an opponent, nearer the opposing goal than her opponent — that is, to be between an opponent playing the ball and the latter's goal is to be " off-side " — always providing that at least three of her opponents are not nearer their own goal than is the offender her- self. A player " off-side " may not play the ball or interfere with any other player until it has been played by an opponent. But a player cannot be " off-side " in her own half of the ground, or if the ball were last touched by an opponent or hit by one of her own side who, at the moment of hitting, was nearer the opposing goal line than herself. Forwards require to be fast, and must learn to pass quickly and accurately. They are the attack, and when within the striking circle should not waste time by indulgence in too much passing, but ought to shoot at goal at the first opportunity. The left wing and left inner forwards should acquire the art of back-hand hitting, most of it will fall to them. The wing for- wards should seldom shoot at goal, but centre the ball to one of the inside players. When following up, a forward should keep her stick near the ground, in order to be able to receive a pass safely. Half-backs must combine offence with defence ; they have the hardest work, assist- ing forwards and at the same time helping the backs. Backs are required to hit strongly ; passing by them is to be deprecated. As a general rule the goalkeeper should keep within her own striking circle. Should she follow up the ball and leave her goal one of the backs should drop behind to defend it.