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HARD TO DEVELOP A BASKETBALL GUARDIn his fourth article on basketball, Janies ISaismith, originator of the game tells of the thankless job the guard on a team has to hold.By JAMES NAJSMITH.Occupying the position of guard upon a basket ball team is usually a thankless job. What honors there are to be divided are split among the forwards and center. The guard, unless a marvel, rarely scores goats because he must defend the basket at the opposite end of the floor. Consequently be works valiantly keeping the sphere from entering the net of the opposing five and plays throughout the game unnoticed—unless he happens to err. His Is much like that of the position of lineman on a football team, who,If slow, Is unceremoniously bumped from behind by his own backs, and if fast, his opponents center their efforts to “get his goat.”But we can't all be forwards and centers and in consequence the development of guards is far harder a proposition than that of training men for other positions on a basket ball quintet. The guard’s entire theme is defense, exaept when participating in a signaled play. Therefore, because there are few honors for the guard, his work in breaking up the formations of the opposing team and his “sticking” qualities should be encouraged by the captain of a team and cheered by supporters with the same zest that is accorded the forward scoring wonders.For these reasons pay tribute to the athlete whose love for the game tells him that if he isn’t possessor of rapid-fire scoring qualifications he shouldWhile the play is being carried out No. 2 crosses the floor in front of thebasket, taking up the place whieh, until a moment before was occupied by No. 1. The latter goes to a point directly in front of the goal, while the guard in the play holds his place on the right-hand side of the goal. Thus all points from which the sphere may bound In case of failure to cage it, am covered.In evolving this play I have so arranged the placing of men that it is possible to continue the series of passes in case the guard finds himself blocked or otherwise hampered la tossing for the goal. For Instance, suppose that No. 5 is stopped from shooting at the basket, he may either toss the ball to No. 2, oa the other Bide of the goal, or No. 1 coming down the floor to cover his place In front of the goal. No. 2 may secure the leather and And himself blocked from a try at the net In which case No. 1 is adopted as a resource. Or the guard may again find himself free in which instance he Is given the ball for thepostponed effortIn the diagram to the right, the left guard is given an opportunity to show his sprinting and basket tossing ability. In this case the right forward runs up to a point opposite the center, receives the ball and passes it diagonally across the floor to the left guard under the goal. The center drops back to cover the right forward of the opposing team, while the left forward of the five represented as the aggressor drosses the, floor and No. 2 takes his stand in ficont of the goal to intercept a possible carom of the sphere. As I have stated before.“ ffovK/vr Of 73/rttffovtJvwrOrTyex 7oCoY£ft75stT/Cw7?rttfdo what he can in. a more obscure office instead of dropping the pastime altogether. In order that some of the oblivion may be lifted from about the position of guard, I have introduced a series of guard plays and from time to time I will renew the possibilities of adding brilliancy to the performance of duties in that role by other combinations.Here, I am presenting the first guard play of the series. This formation (as in the left-hand diagram) is known a?, left forward to right guard in right forward's position. The left forward (No. 1) as in other plays, takes the ball from the center on the jump and shoots it diagonally across the floor to the right guard (No. 5), who has come up the floor at a high rate of sp°ed to the position which a minute previous was occupied by the right forward (No. 2). From that point No. 5 tries for a goal.The guard's dash down the playing area necessarily leaves the left forward of the opposing team uncovered. This hole is filled by the center (No. 3) who drops back to that opponent until the guard in the play shouts that he will take his own man. The center, however, must not leave the opposing forward, until the play haa been completed and then only on cognizance of No. f, who, if o cons ion should demand, takes care of the defensive pjny about tho opposing center, left to himself by Ihu departure of No. 3.the bulk, of the effort for the success of these plays depends oa the jumping of your center. If he cannot out-jump his opponent it Is up to the guards to secure the ball and continue the formation at the point which it has reached by the time the guards get down to work. If broken up at that time the general scrimmage goeB on and the plays, at least those given up to this time, are out of the question until some one haa scored and the ball is tossed up in tho center.I have laid stress upon the fact that guard plays are dangerous, for they forwards uncovered for a short period of time and the possibility always necessarily leave one of the opposing c-xials that tho ball may find its way into his possession and. being unguarded, points are almost certain to be added to the total, which your mao like to see kept at a low point.When using these formations every precaution involved in the principle of defense during the maneuvers of the ball muBt be exerted.The practice of sprinting start* 1b one of the beat plans, if known, for developing the guard's speed In journeying from his position to one under the basket. You will note that he must be just twice as fast In his movements as hla forward, who ia to take the sphere from the center. For. while No. 1 (a» In diagram to the left) is moving to a point opposite the center. No. f* traverses practically the entire length of the floor.
Newspaper Details
Oelwein Daily Register
Oelwein, Iowa, US
Fri, Feb 18, 1910
Page 6
Full Page
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Anonymous
WV, USA 02 May 2020
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