until you block, then depress it and catch. When running to meet a grounder, guard against it slipping after caught. Whether you should catch at arms' length, or at closer distance, must depend upon your position at the time.
Hoppers.—In the case of hoppers you may either catch immediately, or block first and then catch. If the hop is very swift ur sudden, the latter is the safest resort. Especially guard against slipping.
Straight balls—The most difficult to master of all catches, requiring a great deal of confidence and practice, especially if the ball is thrown with any extra velocity. If it comes above the level of your chin, you had better not attempt to catch; if below, you may do it by quickly drawing up your crosse, to a position something similar to the "low point" in bayonet exercise; the side of the netting with which you play receiving the ball; knuckles of left hand which grasps above the collar, uppermost. As the ball strikes the netting give your crosse a slight motion forward to deaden the shot, and a quick curve upwards to secure the ball. This is the neatest and most scientific catch.
The omnipresence of the ball develops various
