

AN AMERICAN SPORT FOR AMERICANS | 51 
There is only one way to become a good 
stick-handler—that is by practice; do not 
become discouraged if you make little 
progress at first; like most things, there is a 
knack in it—and the light generally comes 
to a man suddenly. 
After having learned to catch and pass 
the ball while standing still, you must learn 
to do the same things while in motion, for 
in a lacrosse game you will seldom have an 
undisturbed catch and you, therefore, must 
learn to catch a ball coming from any direc- 
tion, while running at the top of your speed. 
The best practice is to run up and down the 
field with another player, passing the ball 
back and forth as you go. Opposition by 
one or two other players will lend zest to the 
play, but for the sake of the future of the 
game, let the interference be not too rough. 
You will soon learn to pass the ball a little 
ahead of the man who is running, in order 
that he shall not have to slacken his pace 
and wait for it, and also that it is easier to 
catch a swift ball when properly placed 
than a ball that is merely tossed. One of the 
secrets of good stick-handling is a free move- 
ment of your body and stick—do not at- 
tempt to catch a ball by holding your stick 
rigidly; the stick should ‘‘give” the mo- 
ment the ball touches the net, otherwise the 
ball will rebound from it. Again, when 
endeavoring to pick up a ball that is rolling 
away from you, do not reach ahead for it 
with your stick: you will usually succeed 
only in increasing its speed, or if the end of 
your stick runs against a tuft of grass you 
may suddenly find the handle prodding for 
your backbone by way of your abdomen— 
an operation which hurts you and often 
breaks the stick. What you should do is to 
carry your stick on one side, and when 
almost up with the ball suddenly increase 
your speed and scoop it up. 
Much might be written concerning 
the finer points of stick-handling, but it 
would be a waste of words—observation, 
practice and experience are the best 
teachers. Yet the fact must not be lost 
sight of that good stick-handling is the one 
_ fundamental upon which success in lacrosse 
hinges. Lo. much practice cannot be in- . 
-dulged in by the individuals to perfect 
themselves }for their part in the system of 
play that is to be afterward developed in. 















Out. Home C Cover Point 
1st Home C P ist Defence 
2d Home Cc P 2d Defence 
3d Home Cc P 3d Defence 
Center 
6 Feet Radius 
Center 
3d Defence € P 3d Home 
2d Defence © P 2d Home 
1st Defence C P ist Home 
Cover Point C P Outy Home 

P In. Home 

Point C 
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DIAGRAM SHOWING A LACROSSE FIELD AND 
POSITIONS OF PLAYERS 
A to B—110 to 125 yards 
B to D—Any width. 
E to F—18 feet. 
E to G—12 feet. 
H to I—6 feet. 
