How to play association football, etc

30
ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL
scheme is simple and effective:--The defending centre-half
marks the attacking centre-forward; the defending backs look
after the opposing inside-forwards; and the defending wing-
half-backs attend to the outside-forwards of the attacking
team. Other attackers can be marked by the inside-forwards
of the defending team, whose centre and outside forwards,
while incidentally marking members of the defence of the
aggressive team, maintain their relative positions in the out-
field, holding themselves in readiness for attack.
When hard pressed a goal-keeper should not hesitate to
allow the ball to go behind his goal-line outside of the posts,
if the ball has been last played by an opponent.
BACKS
Backs should diligently practise kicking in all positions and
with either foot, proficiency with both feet being indispensable
to successful back play. Any weakness should be remedied
by excessive,
i.e.
more than necessary, use of the weak factor
in practice games. For instance, a right-back who plays
weakly with the left foot, should use it in practising as often
as an opportunity presents itself, even in cases where in an
important match the special piece of play would be rightly
executed with the right foot. Similar practice should be had
by any back who has a weakness in the use of either foot.
Overhead kicking is useful if well done.
Free kicks can be placed more accurately by kicking with
the instep than by kicking with the toe.
The relative positions of the two backs on the field of play
should
not
be thus:—
R. B. L. B.
■ ■
Diagram 2