Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-21

In this article, the second Of the
series. ! viii cndeavor in a condensed
fashion TO touch on the proper catch
ing and passing Of basketball, the
proper way TO shoot goals, and the
proper way to play tn" forward posi-
,ions on Il basketball team.
Without IA doubt. tn. catching and
passing Of II basketball IS one OF the
most important departments Of the
game Many hard fought contest is
lost when II might just as we'll have
been won had the player only known
how TO handle the ball, thus avoiding
tumble "a; critical period. When
player has acquired the art OF catching
and passing III. bail. he viii rapidly
bccoin. .ihcicn; at the game
Tn. caus. for fuinbling is due to
IenoTanc: on the part OF the player
IS 10 the proper method of handling
the leather In catching tn. ball. the
slightly as tho bali strikes them. and
this should b. praCticcd by beginners
and others with whom fumb!ing is de-
cidcGiy prevalent. Tn. act OF allowing
the hands TO give slightly when the
ball is caught greatly diminishes the
shock caused by the impact Of the
ball against the hands and the liability
of ii tumble, du" TO the quick rebound
ing OF tn" ball from rigid surface.
Many tumble is caused by player
that when the ball strikes the open
hands there is little elasticity and the
bali immediately rebounds
Another frequent cuus. for fumblur
is the position Of the hands when the
ball s caught. They practically should
be in iunncl-shapcd position, with
the fingers spread Never try 10 catch
palms and US" the fingers as supports
20 hold tn" ball in contact with tho
palms. The ball. as II strikes the hoi-
low OF the hand, is held there by a
slight suction with the fingers. and
If this process is observed much Of the
umbling in the gam. to-day will he
done away with. Players should get
out on tn" floor and spend plenty of
time practicing catching a basketball
Now The passing Of the ball. First
remember that in order to make a sue
ccSsful pass the ball must come to a
for him 10 catch il. This certainly is
not the case when the ball is thrown
with full force. Get into the habit of
passing the ball with only moderate
swiftncss. Exceptions may, OF course.
arise in the game, when player is
free at tho other end of the gymnasium
and you wish to get the ball TO him
in all possible haste.
There are several methods used in
passing the ball. The low. underhand
pass. especially for short. swift passes
is without doubt tho most effective
When using this style. the passcr
should cndcavor to throw the ball
directly into the pit of his colleagues
stomach. The ball is generally thrown
from one hand. This style OF passing
| is effective on floor formations
The overland pass is the most cffec-
tive 10 use when greater distances
must be covered. Speed and accuracy
are its characteristics. The ball must
get to your teammatc. who is ut some
distance from you, in tho shortest pos
siblc time. When passing the ball in
this manner. it should travel above the
There are many other styles OF pass
| ing. but the underhand and the over
hand arc supreme in their efficiency.
All other styles of passing which can
be used to good advantage are the re-
suit of long experience by the player.
who has advanced in skill 80 far he
is able TO use all styles OF passing
with accuracy.
There are several points which
players should always remember when
ever using any style of pass. and these
are as follows: first, while your team
mate is on the run, always pass the
ball slightly in advance of him, so that
he will not he compelled to stop in
order to catch it: second, never throw
the ball too hard. and learn to control
the speed OF the throw: third, never
throw the ball at the face OF a team
mate. 1t is hard to catch a ball com
ing swiftly toward\thel face: fourth, ac-
quire accuracy, practice till you can
almost feel where your companion is;
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