Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/107

Rh the rate of four or more miles a match, he has little chance of getting on our crack "Twelves," unless his hobby is goal keeping or "home." So much of the success of a player depends upon his legs that they must be in good condition, requiring a special education in the art of sudden leaping and springing, and of suddenly arresting the speed, which the practice of ordinary running does not give. The directions laid down in the various works for position in running cannot apply to a man carrying the ball on a Crosse, checked and impeded by numerous opponents at all points; but the general principles are the same. A good runner is always an acquisition, providing he masters the real art of play, but is too common a delusion to believe, that because one has gained a reputation for pedestrianism or snow-shoe racing, he is peculiarly fitted to make a good Lacrosse player. As well expect a cavalry squad to be able to dismount and master the velocipede.

Training a "Twelve" has never to our knowledge been systematically applied by any Club, though it is quite as important in Lacrosse as in boating or