FORWARD STROKES. 



II 



FORWARD STROKES. 



There are four kinds of forward strokes. 



I. Straight forward. — When hitting this stroke, 

 which is the first one of all to practise, we should sit 

 square in the saddle, and ride the pony up to the 

 ball, so as to bring him in such a position that the 

 arm may come down straight with full force on to 

 the ball. The ball when struck should be about a 



Photo bl/] 



[M. H. Hayes. 



Fig. 2. — Finishing out straight- 

 forward stroke. 



foot in front of our right knee, and about six inches 

 to the right of it. We should be very careful not to 

 hit the pony's fore legs with either stick or ball ; and in 

 finishing out a stroke (Fig. 2) should, if anything, hit 

 away from the pony, and not towards him. For man- 

 ner of holding the stick in this stroke, see Figs. 3 and 4. 

 2. To the off {or right) front. — This is a very 

 difficult stroke to do with accuracy ; but it must 

 be learned by all who aspire to be good players ; 

 for it is the one by which the ball is centred by 

 the player who makes a run down the side of the 



