Dribbling.
Next to passing comes dribbling. Every forward should know how to dribble. In dribbling the ball, both hands should be kept close together at the top of the stick; the stick is sometimes turned so that the flat side is forward; the wrist and hands are adjusted to any position of the stick. Only a few players are skilled enough to dribble with one hand. The ball should be kept close to the stick, slightly in advance of the runner. The most common fault is that the dribbler follows the ball instead of sending the ball just where she desires. The player who is a good dribbler keeps the ball under control, no matter how speedily she is running. If the ball is sent ahead too far then the dribbler is apt to lose control, but if it is kept close to the stick and just barely touched each time it is easier to manage. The dribbler should remember: never crouch over the ball, but stand erect; never let the ball get too far ahead; never permit an opponent to get so close that you cannot pass the ball to a teammate quickly. Never keep the ball selfishly.
The Bully.
The forwards are called on frequently to bully—the start and twenty-five-yard bully (see Rule I)—so the bully should be practised until each forward is quick and accurate. There should be an understanding among the forwards and halfbacks as to which way the ball will be hit out on the bully so that some one is always ready for it. The right hand should grip almost three-quarters way down the stick, the player then must bend over the stick. The feet are wide apart, planted firmly on the ground. (See Rule for Bully.) After the three separate “grounds and sticks” the ball is hit out. It is here that quickness and skill count. The halfbacks—one from each team—always back up a bully to help their forwards.
Shooting Goals.
It is not necessary to say that it is most important for a forward to shoot goals. She should shoot as often, as hard and as accurately as she can, and she must follow her shots in. This is her main duty and no forward is up to the mark unless she can shoot goals.
Center Forward.
Center forward is the keystone position. Her duties are to bully off at the center (for start and after each goal), to keep the forwards in a straight line, to shoot goals, to distribute passes to the left and right sides evenly. If a center forward has a clear field it is all right for her to dribble, but, as a rule, she should play a passing game. She also has many opportunities to shoot.
Field Hockey—The bulley-off. The players are in position and the opposing center forwards are in the act of putting the ball in play.