Football history

ASSOCIATION
I
GAME
125
exactly at the right moment. A good tackler may be judged
by his ability in making a second attempt after missing one.
If it be difficult to express on paper the various methods of
tackling, much more so is it to explain the best method of
kicking
The Association ball should be kicked with the instep, not
with the toe. When the ball is stationary it is impossible actually
to kick it with the instep, but it may be kicked with the part
of the foot between the toe and the instep. It is sometimes
kicked from a stationary position on the ground with the toe,
but it is much more difficult in this way to send in exactly the
direction wished. To get force into the kick the leg should
swing freely from the hips with the knee slightly bent ; at the
moment of kicking the
knee is straightened
out, and the leg follows
through after the ball.
It is necessary that
both backs and half-
backs should be able
to kick the ball
with
either foot,
in all posi-
tions and in whatever
way the ball comes in,
whether on the ground
or in the air, bouncing
along or coming 'full
toss.' The ball has
often to be kicked
from a stationary
position ; for instance,
in kicks-off from goal
(generally taken by the
goal-keeper) when a
free kick has been given for some breach of the rules, in the
case of a corner-kick, or when a back or half-back, having
plenty of time, blocks the ball before attempting to pass.
A LOW VOLLEY.