Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/145

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THROWING THE BALL.
125

pitch. All swift shots require a tight grasp of the crosse, and a sudden jerking propulsion.


LONG AND HIGH THROWS.

Long throws are more fashionable than advisable, and more pretty than necessary. If men are particular about fielding, and can play into each other's crosses, it is scarcely ever absolutely preferable to make a long shot. It must be a principle in Lacrosse as in war, to never waste your shot; and the tendency of long throwing is to be made the rule, and to destroy confidence in one another. It will be found, too, that men noted for long pitches are apt to neglect short practice, and are deficient in that nice perception which guides the variations of thrown dodges, frisking, &c. However, this is not always so, and long throws are sometimes important, when, for instance, they completely destroy a strong bunching attack. When your goal is crowded, or the enemy have managed to rally more men to the attack than you have for defence, a long, judicious throw checkmates the assault, and gives an advantage to your side, who are stronger where the ball falls, in consequence of the bunching attack of your opponents.