The following are the most effective ways of getting the best of it in opening the game; though facing is not learned by study as much as by patient practice:—
1. Up and Over—Is primarily a feat of strength, and is done best in the first position. It is comparatively independent of the backward spring used in other methods. The ball is fairly lifted up and over the opponent's crosse by the ridge before described, firmly pressing the crosse against the opposing crosse.
2. The Indian.—We call this the Indian to distinguish it as the general favorite of the red-skin. It is partly a feat of strength of arm and trick of crosse. The Centre stands in the second position. The face is done by quickly drawing your crosse towards you and the ball with it, and hooking it from your opponent by the side of the bend; at the same time making a sudden retrograde spring from the left foot. The whole length of the crosse, from the bend to the butt, may be level with the ground, and a rise made when hooking the ball, at the same time turning the handle out to the right to prevent your opponent hooking it. The position in this face may be changed by standing more erect, with the handle of the crosse sloping.
