Page:Football, The Association Game.djvu/72

 the left wing, in my opinion the inside right should be about opposite to the right goal-post, and the outside right should not be more than eight or ten yards beyond him, which may give him a good chance of an easy cross shot. Backs and half-backs must be able to head, and a forward ought to be able to do so, but it is not nearly so necessary for him.

"A great many forwards head too much in front of goal, and lose chance after chance, for it stands to reason that it is easier for a goal-keeper to save a shot that is in the air than to save a really fast low shot from the foot Often I have seen a good middle hopelessly spoilt by the centre (though he could but touch the ball with a tuft of hair) turning it aside harmlessly to a back or the goal-keeper, or, more commonly, behind the goal-line, when the forward beyond him would have had a clear shot In conclusion, forwards should remember to 'hustle,' that is, hamper, the opposing half-backs and backs, and endeavour to prevent them getting their kicks."

The advice of such a master of the art of attack as W. N. Cobbold will be thoroughly valued, even if it can only be fully appreciated by those who have acquired a certain amount of proficiency in the game, and have passed their "little go" in the curriculum of football. In the ordinary way, a young player will learn more by practical experience and in emulating the style and tactics of really skilful opponents than in any amount of written instruction, however capable the writer.

The qualifications for a good forward have already been enumerated. Though in the main the same qualities are required in the case of each of the five forwards, there are, none the less, attributes which are more valuable in a centre than in a wing player, and vice versâ. A centre, in par-