DUTIES OF No. 2. 51 



No. I constant instructions, for which No. i relies 

 entirely on him, because he cannot see behind him. 

 No. 2 should give as short and plain instructions as 

 possible, such as, "leave it," and ''take it," and should 

 never use an ambiguous expression, such as, "all 

 right," or "goon." The former, which is frequently 

 used, may mean almost anything ; and the latter 

 may mean that No. i is to go on with the ball, or 

 to go on and leave it to No. 2. If No. 2 wants 

 No. I to hang over the ball until he can get there, 

 the best expression to use is "keep it," by which 

 No. I will know that he has to prevent anyone else 

 getting it until his No. 2 can do so, and then clear 

 out of the way. 



No. 2 should be very careful about the direction of 

 each stroke, and when his No. i and the opposing 

 Back are in front, he should always hit the ball to 

 whichever side his No. i is riding. No. i may 

 then get a good opening, and may be able to drive 

 the ball forward ; but if No. i only succeeds in 

 preventing the opposing Back from getting in a 

 back-hander, the ball will still be left there for the 

 No. 2 to have another chance at it. If No. 2 hits 

 it to the other side, the Back is almost sure to get 

 it. This is a most important point, and is not nearly 

 enough studied by most men who play No. 2. 



Above all things. No. 2 should not hit round or 

 across the ground, except to defend his own goal ; 

 but should keep the ball towards the centre of 

 the ground and always hit towards his opponents' 

 goal when possible. If he finds himself near the 

 boards in his adversaries' half of the ground, he 

 should hit towards the centre at once, the easiest way 



