Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/177

Rh a certain dodge, you may often facilitate it better by thus inviting a check, which, by the way, you must not invite, unless you feel positive of success. Single evasive movements to right or left are often sufficient to prevent a check. A single dodge has often to be made good by an extra evasion. This art of avoidance is important in dodging.

The best way to learn all manner of dodges is for two men to practise checking and dodging, alternately, without the ball. When you learn the rudiments of dodging with the ball on your crosse, your action is embarrassed in endeavoring to preserve its equilibrium; but by practising first without it, until you learn the principles and knack of the dodges, it becomes easier to put the ball on the netting and attempt them. When you are “waiting for the ball” at the morning meets, pair off and practise this. It would be unnecessary to give rules for the various combinations of dodging, which arise out of those already mentioned, as well as from checks and counter-checks. Dodging involves a peculiar gymnastics, which brings out various twistings and bendings, in which the whole body partakes. "Battles are won with legs as well as arms," and