Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/215

192 cool, collected, and prompt. He is essentially a defence, and, at the same time, a reserve and aid to the attack. He should always be on hand in hard-pressed games. When the ball is near or nearing his goal, he should back up if necessary; but, in close struggles, must avoid the cardinal sin of many Points—of backing upon the goal-keeper, thereby preventing him using his crosse with freedom, or seeing the ball.

Point should be able to relieve goal-keeper, and perform his duty.

Circumstances occur when he has to leave his position to charge down the field, follow the ball, or check an adversary at either flank. Cover-point or a fielder should then retire to his vacated post, and the positions of the former should also be replaced. It is dangerous, however, in a hard-pushed game, to leave his post farther than the line of cover-point; but when the play is even, or favorable to his side, he may change posts with any of the fielders. If there is no captain to keep the men in their places, the links nearest any vacated position should keep their own eyes open and quickly take them up. Every position, of course, is movable, as your side