Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/112

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POSTING AND DIRECTING THE PLAYERS.

passing the defence half of the field. If Centre loses it, the balance of power is preserved by the retreat of one or more of the attack, according to the fluctuations of the game. When there are more than twelve men a-side, the links are nearer: the proportion remaining in favor of the attack. Light, active men are the best for the attack; heavy men for defence. Occasionally this rule may be reversed, but rarely. The most important positions are those of the immediate attack and defence, and, perhaps, Nestor's plan of drawing up troops, might serve to illustrate the tactics for Lacrosse,—the best men first and last, and the weakest in the middle. It is difficult to define or particularize "the best man" in a Lacrosse field, as each one has his forte; but the positions in the attack and defence develop a reliableness of play, which is not always seen in fielding, where the men may expeirment and venture more, without equal risk.

There is no greater delusion in Lacrosse clubs than to suppose, that because a man has made some mark as a player, he is competent to act as captain. There is a combination of mental and physical qualifications required of him, something parallel to those of a good general. His ability to throw to perfection, to check