Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/168

148 Dodging owes its origin to the vain individualism of the Red Skin. Long before a pale face saw the game, there were notables whose forte it was to carry the ball to the goal, through a crowd of opponents; and to this day, their common practice in their village game is to carry the ball to the flags, or, over the line representing "game." Indian dodging was principally "thrown" dodges; they seldom attempted the "carried" styles which are so prevalent among our white players. Since their frequent contests with the pale face, they have taken to dodging, much to their disadvantage we think.

We divide dodging into "Carried" and "Thrown" dodges; the former, when the ball is kept on the crosse; the latter, when it is thrown past the checker and afterwards recovered.

The crosse should be held in the hand with which you carry; the grasp may be shorter for thrown than carried dodges.

Good dodging implies coolness, and dash, close calculation, a thorough command of the ball on the crosse, agility of body, and a strong and a supple wrist and arm.