HALF-BACK The half-back has the most onerous post in a team. With the forwards a certain amount of individual play is necessary, but a half-back must make combination the essential feature of his play. He must be ready to assist the attack, and be as much in touch with his backs as the centre forward is with the forwards. The centre forward of the opposing team is the man that he must watch, and whose attack play he must try to nullify. If he keep cool and do not rashly shoot at goal, he will prove of immense service to his side. The forwards should be well fed by him, and left to score when able. It is only by a bare chance that a half-back can score, and in good matches the attack is spoilt if the half-back, instead of passing, selfishly tries to shoot between the posts. He should be a good swimmer, well able to dribble or punt, and throw or pass with either hand under any conditions. At the starting of the game either the half-back or the centre forward should be told off by the captain according to speed—the fastest swimmer for pre ference—to sprint for the ball, and if he obtain possession to pass it back. If the centre forward be allotted this duty, be
should pass to the half-back and then swim on to his position, whilst the wing forwards are also taking up their places. If the half-back has to go for the ball, he should pass to his backs and return to his proper place, which is some two or three yards in advance of the backs. As soon as the backs receive the ball,. it should be held until the forwards are up in position, and then passed to them. Upon the play of the half-back greatly depends the success of the team, and a clear-headed, sure, and swift swimmer should be appointed to fill this post. He must by practice learn to know instinctively the place of every man in the team, must never stand, and always be ready to accept a pass, no matter how fast it may come.