Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/161

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CATCHING, AND CARRYING THE BALL.
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amateur might run you through, or escape your deadliest thrust. The rule holds good for effect in Lacrosse.

After the ball strikes the ground.—This is a very simple catch, and is used when you have not confidence for, or miss the preceding, and is sometimes a matter of choice, but often of necessity. Any ball, but a grounder, may be struck to the ground at your front and caught on the rebound. The easiest catch is made on the head surface of the netting, and with one hand grasping the butt. A slight twist from right to left insures the security of the ball. If one or more opponents are near and attempt to catch, you may strike away their sticks before you touch the ball. This applies to all catching.

Grounders.—This is more a combination of picking up and blocking, as in goal, than catching proper, but nearly all grounders rise after blocking and require catching. Block with the head surface of the netting, and as the ball slides up, depress the handle of your stick, and scoop it up by a thrust forward and upward. If the ball is very swift, keep the handle of your crosse well advanced