Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/258

Rh acquired by practice, until it becomes a habit to meet them as if by instinct. It is quite a different kind of goal-keeping from a clear throw.

Sweeps.—Are the most dangerous and difficult to stop; and differ from swipes by being more short and quick. A swipe is a regular strike, as in shinty; but a sweep is when a thrown ball is caught on the wing by “Home” for instance, and driven into the goal. Such shots are very deceptive, as they break the line of vision between the eye and the original throw, and oblige it to catch up a new line at a very difficult pace and distance. The rule is to watch the coming ball, and if it is evident that “home” will sweep, concentrate attention on him just before the ball reaches him.

In all methods of stopping, bring the largest surface of netting to the ball; never pin your faith to the lower angle.

In grounders or straight balls, it is easier to stop those to the left than to right, because you have more command of your crosse to the left, if you hold your right hand at the butt, as nearly every player holds his stick. If you hold it by the left hand on the butt, the rule is reversed.