The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-01-31

the ball. In the diagram to the right
am showing the combination, worked e2-
sctly the reverse. giving the right-hanl
guard (No - an opportunity TO get into
action.
The ball is knocked To tae right gusrd.
who passes the sphere sff igut down th-
floor TO the right fCrvarl no. p. the
goal being attempted by the latter The
covering Of positions is accomplished b.
the right forward maintaining the spot
from which he made his effort at goal.
but the Jeff forward (No. u sCintiliating
about the playing area to bewideT his oD-
posing guard and by the center taking
the same opportunity as previously. Tic
right guard drops back to cover his for
ward who had for a moment been free.
I know many coaches who declare they
are opposed to plays Of that order. in fact,
many Of them do not believe IN using
guard plays al an. tnev CONSIDER tnein
dangerous. for they leave opposing FOR
wards alone for D moment OF two ani
thus there is an opportunity for the lat
ter to effect a connection with the goal.
But where a team IS strong and evenly
balanced in all its departments these
plays pay well for the learning. for theT
open up new fields 10 bewilder opponents,
and when well taught, along with the arr
raHgements for defense. they usually sue
coed.
The fundamental point which must b.
remembered by the guards r. that it is
their duty in this formation 10 immed--
ately get back to their opposing forwards
when they have passed the ball There
must be no waiting to see that the sphere
has gone right, nor must there be any
following e up the floor. for that leaves
ton.
That IS the. safest way. to work ,hs
conlbinati0G-thet which ] have descrIo5C
above-bUt 1 will tell you how this same
play may be used TO perhaps better scor-
ing advantage. L Is little dangerous.
but often succeeds. especially when the
center Of the team represented as eggres-
sor gets the jump on his opponent.
Instead Of the guard Immediately fallinE
back to cover hfs forward let the ceute-
perform that function and let the guard
20 down the floor after the ball has been
passed. but constantly keeping his eye OF
the opposing center. for ne has traded
duties with bis own center, Then t. the
center Of the opposing team is kinl
enough to stay IN the vicinity OF the
guards basket, there is plenty of chance
for the latter 70 score. OF course TINS
latter arrangement is only effective when
the forward intrusted with the scoring
duty falls to land the ball within the net
A word here az to the playing Of the
guard position. The fundamental prtn-
ciple Of the guard who would shut out
his opposing forward Is 70 stay between
that individual and the basket. Conse-
quentiy. when the referee is about 10 toss
the ball up IN the center Of the floor, the
guard should place himself on the in
side" of his forward. that IS, between nis
forward and an imaginary line length
wise down the middle Of the floor bisect-
In that way he may keep HIS gaze d
vided between the center. from which the
ball comes, and his forwards movements
Were he on the OUTSIDE" Of his forward.
the latter could easily elude him II the
signal called for a crOss-Over play. While
posted on the inside" however. ne -
right in the way Of the forward in exc
cutting that design. Then, too. il the
sphere happens TO 90 straight down the
floor. which it does more OF less IN every
contest, ne IL right in It's path and has
greater chance TO get IL than II on the
other side Of his individual opponent
Daring the scTimmage the guard should
always be between his forward and the
goal in order that the latter may not out
run him 70 the basket in case the sphere
Is sent IN that direction. When the guard
follows these directions ne viii always
find that his opponent may Be easily
blocked away from the objective point
This rule holds good IN both intercoi-
iegiate and 4. a. T. basketball. although
IL is brought to the surface ofteneT IN the
varsity psstims, because Of the constant
dribbling Of the ball down the floor.