miss. If it is about to be struck from a nearer position, spring at your opponent, hit his crosse as it is striking at the ball, and either hit it, or kick it away with your foot when it falls. Practice in stopping these balls is essentially necessary.
Long, Medium and Short Throws.—Long throws are the easiest to stop; medium are more deceptive; short, bring out the science of goal-keeping. Miscalculation of any throw is liable, where strict attention is not given to the ball before it reaches the flags. The longer you can keep your eyes upon it, from the instant it leaves the thrower’s crosse, the better will be your calculation. The difficulty of short throws, is that you have so little time to catch the line in which they are coming.
Swift and Slow Shots.—Allowing for the extra weight of a cricket ball, the danger of stopping a short swift lacrosse ball, thrown from the lower angle of the netting is greater.
It is a mistake to suppose that swift shots are harder to stop than slow. They make a young goal-keeper anticipate injury, and nervous, but when accustomed to the habit of stopping he fears no pace. We have always found slow balls more puzzling and
