Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/186

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166
DODGING AND CHECKING.

of action from head to toe. To defeat it, you must do it as much by virtue of your legs as your crosse. If the dodger keeps his back to you, your chances are diminished, as by simply turning and keeping his distance he can often keep your check in rear until you get close. The play, then, is to close in as quick as possible, sweep your crosse at the side of his, or, leaping up, pass it quickly over his head, and bring it down upon his netting. If the butt is projecting in his hand, strike it; if his wrist prevents you hitting on top or at the side, strike upwards under his wrist. I remember an Indian, following close at a white man’s heels, succeeding in dislodging the ball from his opponent’s crosse, by a strong thrust at the extreme butt end, which was just visible in the rear.

When a dodger is too much for a checker, and chooses to prance around his vicinity, another check should run out and spoil his strategy. It is, of course, necessary, that in making this movement, whatever is intended should be made like a flash, so as not to give time to opposing fielders to rally, or the unchecked man whom the reinforcer has left, to gain any great advantage.