Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/256

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GOAL-KEEPING.
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The chest; 3. Head, or above it; 4. The knee; 5. Below the knee.

A dead-shot, thrown on a line with the first, will puzzle the most of goal-keepers, because it is difficult to bring, quickly, any large surface of netting to that point. Sometimes a sudden leap upwards answers to do this; sometimes, reversing the position of the crosse from a ground block, and dropping down on one knee, presenting the full surface of netting to the ball. Any straight ball that can be cut may be blocked. Balls may be struck to the ground in front, and caught; but, when caught for an intended throw, always go to one side, clear of the flags, before throwing, as it is never safe for goal-keeper to throw from a point immediately at the crease. A goal-keeper—a friend of ours—once blocked and caught a ball, and, being attacked by an opponent, ran through his own flags with it to get an opportunity to throw, and so scored a game for his antagonists. Do not do that.

Balls below the line of your hips are easier stopped with the side of the netting you use in play; those above, with the reverse side, the crosse perpendicular, netting up and butt down. Straight balls,