Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-03
HOW GUARDS
SHOULD PLAY
Timely Pointers on the Fine
Points of Offensive and
Defensive Play.

The majority of basket ball beginners who
wish to play a guard position act under the
mistaken belief that thorough foregoing
knowledge of the way in which to play the
position Is required before one may be able
to play says Benjamin Borowsky In the ST.
Paul Dispatch. Undoubtedly such knowi-
edge Is essential, but self-conhdence can
and will overcome any ignorance of the
former l may say without fear of contra
dictIon that self-confidence is half the pat
tie.
II after seeing game played. the begin
ner makes up his mind that he does under
stand the game, when in reality he does
not. and actually plays a game under 'hat
false apprehension. this self-contidence
which he has aroused within him VIII soon
make him feel that he is a star The
natural tendency of this inspiration Is to
make the star" carry his head so high
that fpuratively speaking ii is liable to
fall off his shoulders. 1t is quite burden
some to overcome this feeling and difficult
to learn tie correct way to play unless 1t Is
overcome: but a little effort on his part
will soon drown the thought. After pass
ing this stage successfully the fundamental
principles can then be threshed out.
In many cases experience has shown that
a guard who knew nothing OF the game
hold his man, who was the best point gamer
for the opposing team. so that the latter
was not able to score goal This sur
prised the friends Of both and left the cause
si,rouded In mystery. for which the FRIENDS
of neither could account. An UNCONSCIOUS
act on the part of the guard did the trlCk.
When the referee blew the whistle TOT the
start the guard walked sturdily up TO ms
opponent slapped him on the back ana
squeezed his hand while shaking. thus max
ing him believe that the guard VINO was 10
tackle him was strong ana any rousn anu
fast playing would be retaliated. guard
should therefore. try to make a good I'M
precision on his opponent
Hints to Forwards.
II is always best for him to stand in
front Of his man. But when the center of
the opposing team is taller than his own
center and more likely to stop the ball, the
Guard should so place himself as to be able
In the twinkling of an eye to reach the
hail before the opposing forward Until
this rapidity is acquired it will be well for
the. guard to necessarily bear in mind the
sentence stick TO your man." for the OPP
posing forward will attempt to get the ball,
and the guard. following and tackling him,
will prevent him from so doing BY play
ing in fast company the guard VIII IN a
short time learn to follow the pali "nlie
tackiing his man. AT this period ne shouio
teach his eyes to measure distance. for the
undeveloped eye acts under all sorts OF
delusions while the well-trained eye sees
everything at a glance and can tel just
where the ball is going to fall, thus facili-
tating matters in regard TO ones placing.
Some Practices Of Forwards.
1t is customary for a tricky forward TO
run around the field before the ball is
fl;c To get a
guard to tire himself by running after him.
In nine cases out of ten the guard Will
fall into this trap. Then when the game
starts he is so utterly exhausted that he
is completely in the hands of the forward.
He should therefore. let the forward dance
around as much as he pleases before the
ball is in play. and stand watching the
center men To just where the ball is
To be slapped. Then he should act as the
occa sion requires. If one Of the opposing
players receives the ball the guard should
quickly find his man and cover him up
that is tackle him so that if the ball should
be thrown to him he will not be able to
touch it. If an opposing player has the ball
on the outside line the guard should always
cover his man and watch his every move
ment. In this play the guard should not
count on getting the ball. unless the ball
Is thrown to the man whom he is tack
ling. when II Is incumbent upon him that
he should either get the ball or prevent
his opponent from getting 1t. If his man
has the ball on the outside line he should
stand close to him and throw his arms In
all directions before his opponents eyes
for the purpose of shading them. The re-
suit will be. il often has been, that
the forward will be half dazed and mis-
take one of his opponents for his team
mate or will miscalculate the distance be-
tween himself and his team mate. and thus
give his opponents an equal chance to get
the ball. When tired and over worked, a
guard should try to have held BALI called
in order TO delay the game so that he may
recuperate.
Covering the Opponent.
II by signal the guard should be called
into a trick play. he should act quickly.
30 that if the play fails and the ball goes
to the other side he can cover his man
Immediately. The other guard should be
prepared in such case for any slip, and
cover two men if necessary. II the guard
should be called upon TO break up a pass
he should always tackle one Of the men in
the pass and not watch and wait for the
ball 10 fall or try to intercept it's course
when II would be practically impossible 50
to do If the men covered. the chances
are that the pass will be blocked. 1t is
needless to say that the guard must not
he afraid OF the ball. No matter how fast
it comes toward him. he should catch it
and not suppose that because one is
near him he can just as well let 1t bound
and then recover it. Such suggestions
may sometimes prove fatal. If he does get
1t. he should not try TO win the game him
self by dribbling the ball the entire length
OF the field, but should pass it to his team
mate quickly by throwing on a line and
not up in the air
Trick plays. whereby his weight and
strength can be best utilized, depend upon
the signals of the team. If the team has
no signals he can do his share of the work
satisfactorily BY reposing confidence in him.
N not to. faar t.
by continually keeping him covered up and
by taking advantage OF every opportunity
AFFORDED him to help in winning the game.