DUTIES OF No. 3. 55 



especially in a sticky game, must be always on the 

 turn. If Back goes up into the game, he must drop 

 into Back's place like clockwork, particularly if he sees 

 Back attempting a risky stroke, such as meeting the 

 ball. 



In attack, No. 3 will get many openings, but he 

 must remember that his first duty is to prevent the 

 opposite side from hitting goals, and, bearing this in 

 mind, he should always try to keep the ball in front 

 of him. This result cannot be attained unless on 

 every possible occasion he passes the ball to the right 

 hand of his No. i or No. 2, and resists the temp- 

 tation of making runs himself, unless he can make 

 a certainty of hitting the ball next. If No. 3 sees 

 the opposing No. 2 going to hit a back-hander, he 

 should turn where he sees the ball is coming, and 

 should not dash in to try to put No. 2 off his stroke, 

 unless he sees that his own No. 2 is coming back into 

 his place When No. 3 dashes in for an opening, he 

 may often get into No. 2's place, in which case he 

 should take the first opportunity of changing back into 

 his proper place. Though he should make No. 2 clear 

 the way for him, his chief object should be to hit in the 

 right direction, and place the ball for his No. 2, and 

 not merely hit forward, leaving it to chance who may 

 get it next. When No. 3 dashes in to get a run, 

 which he will frequently do. No. 2 should promptly 

 drop back and take his place, so that, if No. 3 fails to 

 get the ball or the game turns the other way, there may 

 be a man in No. 3's place, ready to defend. 



As No. 3 is generally in the middle of the game, a 

 side can be captained from his place nearly as well as 

 from that of Back. 



