GOAL-KEEPER The position of goal-keeper is not eagerly sought after, and in many instances the post is given to a wretched swimmer. It is not difficult to find the reason of this. The goal-keeper has the cold and thankless task of keeping in one place during the game, and cannot exercise himself by swimming. Men who can swim well are chary of having thrown upon them the arduous task of guarding the goal mouth, which is made doubly difficult if the team lack combination. Notwithstanding this a good swimmer should be appointed, and one well able to float and support himself with the legs. To defend a goal properly requires skill, rapidity of action, keen judgment, quick and sure catching, and the ability to throw or punch out imme diately the ball comes, in a direction which will be of service to the side. In all practice the goal-keeper should be careful to avoid sending the ball past the centre of the bath or bringing it under the crossbar when throwing. If half a dozen forwards are put on for shooting practice, each with a ball, the goal keeper's play will sensibly improve in a very short time, as he will thereby become accustomed to exercise rapid judgment, and also quickness of sight. One thing which often happens
to a goal-keeper is a sudden obscuration of sight after going under water. This can be at once remedied by rubbing the eyelids, and thus preventing the water remaining on the body from dropping over the eye. To all players this hint may be of service. When likely to be tackled by the opposing forwards, the goal-keeper should either pass out to the backs or give away a corner. He must never get flurried, or a goal is certain to be scored against him. In the old days of the game when free throws were being taken by the opposing side, a sharp look-out had to be kept so as to avoid being hit by the ball. When close in, this trick was often resorted to and a goal scored, as the rule which compels the touching of one other player by the ball before scoring from a free throw was thereby held to be complied with. Such play is now, however, foul under the rules.