Stand
The ball is dead when the Referee calls "Stand," and no player shall move, unless otherwise directed by the Referee, until the Referee calls "Play." N.B.-The blowing of a whistle may be substituted for the above calls, or such calls as may be hereinafter mentioned.
Face. The ball shall be placed upon the ground between the backs of crosses of two opponents, and the defending player's crosse shall be between the ball and the goal he is defending.
They shall not move till "Play" has been called by the Referee, but must then immediately draw their crosses apart (towards them), before removing them from the ground. The Referee shall not allow players to be within five yards of those "facing," and no face shall take place within ten yards of the centre of goal, when it is caused by the action of an attacking party.
V. THE TEAMS.
Sec. 1.-Number. -Twelve players shall constitute a full team. Sec. 2. Should an accident or injury occur to any player which, in the opinion of the Referee, incapacitates him from playing, the opposing side must withdraw one of their players as long as the player remains so incapacitated. If the "accident" or "injury" is due to a foul, and the Referee suspend the offending player, a player other than the suspended one shall be withdrawn.
VI. THE CAPTAINS.
Sec. 1.-A Captain shall be appointed from each team previous to the commencement of a match.
Sec. 2. They alone shall be the representatives of their respective teams in all disputes.
Sec. 3. They shall "toss" for choice of goals previous to the commencement of the match.
Sec. 4.-Nothing in this law shall prevent any player notifying the Referee of any infringement of these Laws.
VII. THE REFEREE.
Sec. 1. The authority of the Referee shall commence from the time of the appointment and shall continue until the end of the match, and his duties shall be to enforce these Laws and Regulations. His decisions shall be final and without appeal.
Sec. 2. Before the match he shall see that the Umpires have been properly appointed, and that the goals, balls, &c., are in accordance with the Laws.
Sec. 3. He shall draw up the players in lines immediately before the match begins, and see that the regulations respecting the crosses and spiked shoes are adhered to.
Sec. 4. If he observe any infringement of the rules, or when a "foul" claimed by any player has been allowed, or in any case of injury or accident (Law V., Sec. 2), the Referee is empowered to immediately call "Stand." If the ball enter goal after "Stand" has been called by the Referee, it shall not count; or if a foul be claimed by one side and their opponents score a goal immediately afterwards, the Referee shall first give a decision on the foul, which, if allowed, shall nullify the goal. If the LACROSSE] foul, however, be claimed by the scoring party, whether the claim be allowed or not, a goal scored before the Referee has called "Stand" shall count.
Sec. 5. He shall ascertain the length of time each period shall last, directly from both Captains, and shall call "Time" at the expiration of such by anyone not actually a player, it shall not count.
Sec. 6. In the event of a goal-post being knocked down during a match, and the ball put through what would be the goal if the posts were standing, it shall count a goal for the attacking side.
A GOOD GENERAL VIEW OF THE GAME. time together with any time lost due to the suspension of the game by reason of accidents. Sec. 6. He shall arbitrate in all disputes between the Captains.
Sec. 7. The infliction of penalties shall be at his discretion without appeal, and any side rejecting his decision or refusing to continue the match shall be declared the losers.
VIII. THE UMPIRES.
Sec. 1. There must be only one Umpire at each goal. They shall stand behind the posts and shall not change ends during a match. No person shall be allowed to speak to them, or in any way to distract their attention. Sec. 2. In the event of a goal being claimed, the Umpire at the goal shall at once decide whether or not the ball has fairly passed through the goal space, his decision being simply "Goal" "No Goal" without comment of any kind.
His decision shall be final. or Sec. 3. If the Umpire observe any infringement of Law X., Sec. 13, he shall notify the Referee in such manner as the latter shall direct.
The decision of each Umpire at his own goal shall be final in this matter.
IX. THE GAME.
Sec. 1. The playing time shall be two periods of forty-five minutes each, or such other time as shall be agreed to by the Captains.
Sec. 2.-Ends shall be changed at "half time" when either side may claim not more than ten minutes' rest, which shall not be counted as playing time. Sec. 3. Each game shall be started by the centres facing at the centre mark, and when both sides are ready the Referee shall call "Play."
Sec. 4.-The side scoring the greatest number of goals shall be the winners. A goal shall be scored by the ball passing between the goal posts and under the cross bar from in front, and not being propelled by the foot or leg of an attacking player.
Sec. 5. Should the ball be put through either goal-space by one of the players defending it, by whatsoever means, it shall be counted a goal to the opposite side. Should it be put through Sec. 7.-When goal has been claimed and allowed, the ball shall be again faced at the centre mark.
Sec. 8. The goalkeeper, while defending goal within the goal-crease, although not allowed to catch or throw with his hand, may put the ball away with his hand, or block it in any manner with his crosse or body.
Sec. 9. Any player is at liberty to propel the ball with his foot or leg.
Sec. 10. A match is ended by the Referee calling "Time." Sec. 11. When the ball lodges in a place inaccessible to the crease, or about the clothing of a player, or becomes ensnared in the goal netting, the Referee shall call "Stand," and the player must at once remove it with the hand and "face " with his nearest opponent.
Sec. 12. Should the ball catch in the netting, the crosse must be struck on the ground and the ball dislodged immediately, otherwise the Referee shall call "Stand," and the ball shall be "faced" where the player caught it.
Sec. 13. Should the game be stopped by any cause not mentioned in these Laws, the ball shall be "faced" in each place and by such players as the Referee shall direct.
X.-FOULS.
A PLAYER SHALL NOT- 1.-Deliberately charge or shoulder an opponent. This does not prevent the use of the "body check," nor pushing the opponent with the shoulder in ground scuffles.
Charging or Shouldering implies motion and unnecessary force, and is forbidden.
Body Check is the placing of the body in the way of an approaching opponent so that the latter is simply impeded. 2.-Hold or trip an opponent, or push with the hand or crosse.
Holding shall mean clutching with the hand or arm, or detaining an opponent between the two arms and the crosse, or placing the crosse against him so as to impede his movements.
Tripping is the use of the legs, feet, or crosse to throw an opponent. 3.-Wrestle with the legs entwined so as to throw an opponent.
IIO 4.-Use the "square" or "crosse" check, which consists of one player "charging into" another with both hands on the crosse, so as to make the stick meet the body of his opponent. 5.-Deliberately or recklessly strike, or threaten to do so under any circumstance.
Striking means the giving a blow with the crosse or otherwise. 6.-Grasp an opponent's crosse with the hands, hold it with his arms or between his legs or under his feet, or kick it. 7.-Interfere in any way with another player 8.-Deliberately kneel, crouch low, lie down, or drop in front of an opponent, or wilfully fall and cover the ball with his body. who is in pursuit of an opponent. 9.-Wilfully touch the ball with his hands, save as in Law X., Secs. 8 and II. 10.-Throw his crosse under any circumstances. 11.-Move from his position when "Stand" has been called. 12. If he drop his crosse, touch the ball, or impede an opponent in any way until he recovers it. 13.-When attacking, go within the goal crease, nor shall he check the goalkeeper while the latter is within the bounds of the goal crease. Any goal made while an attacking player is within the goal crease, or or is interfering with the goalkeeper while the latter is within the crease, shall be deemed to be a foul, and shall not be counted.
This shall not prevent a player from running through or across a corner of the goal crease to field a wide- ball.. 14.-Wear spiked shoes (indiarubber spikes excepted), nor shall the soles be of a material other than indiarubber. 15.-Persistently throw the ball out of bounds, or in any way try to delay the play of the game. in any way try to delay the play of the game. 16. The goalkeeper, while within the crease, shall not hold the ball on his crosse longer than is necessary to step out of the crease. 17.-Claiming a foul on trivial grounds when, in the opinion of the Referee, no foul was inthe opinion of the Referee, no foul was intended, cannot be tolerated. The Referee shall first caution the player so offending, and, if persisted in, the offence shall be deemed to be a foul.
XI. PENALTIES.
The penalty or penalties for a foul shall be at the discretion of the Referee:- 1.-"Free position"; Free Position. The players shall "stand," except the goalkeeper, who may resume his place, and the player to whom the Referee awards the "free position"; and no player may be nearer than five yards to the last-mentioned. If anyone be within the prescribed distance, he must retire to the satisfaction of the Referee. The player awarded the "free position" shall then take the ball on his crosse in front of him, and at the word "Play" from the Referee the game shall proceed. The "free position" shall never be within ten yards of the goal, and the Referee may, under extreme circumstances, order any player or players, including the goalkeeper, from between such "free position" and goal. The ten yards shall be measured in a straight line from the centre of the goal through the place where the foul occurred. 2.-Suspension of the player for the remainder of the match, or for such lesser period as the Referee shall forthwith decide. 3.-"Face" at any point he may direct not nearer than two yards from the goal crease, in the event of a breach of Law X., Sec. 16. [LACROSSE LAWN TENNIS. - Without a doubt, lawn tennis is at the present time the most popular and cosmopolitan game in the world. It is played practically everywhere and under the same rules, and the number of players is increasing at a wonderful rate.
Lawn tennis was introduced into England in 1873 by Major Wingfield. In its rudimentary form it was called Sphairistike, and was a very different game from lawn tennis as it is now played.
In 1875 Mr. J. M. Heathcote introduced the covered ball. Previous to this, plain india-rubber balls had been used. It was found that the covered ball was much superior to the uncovered, and they have been universally used ever since.
The marking of the court and the height of the net have undergone many changes.
The present size and shape of the courts seem to be satisfactory, but it is strange that they have "taken shape" without any definite design. It is possible that the development of modern lawn-tennis, particularly the American service, may in time lead to further alterations in the dimensions of the courts. The object of the game is to prevent one's opponent or opponents from returning the ball across the net. Originally, the game was played mainly from the back of the court or the base-line, and the ball was allowed to bound before it was hit. In 1879, however, the volleyer came into notice. Those who could not volley well found themselves at a great disadvantage.
There was a long correspondence in The Field, and other papers as to the propriety or otherwise of volleying. It sounds supremely ridiculous in these days, but at that time it was considered by many rank bad form to hit the ball before it struck the ground. There is, however, almost absurd an idea prevalent to-day about a beautiful and useful shot in the game.
When a man is waiting on the base-line watching his opponent serving, it takes an extremely well-judged and delicate drop service to beat him, yet most players, if beaten on it, as they often are on a firstclass drop, either in service or play, get very angry. This is stupid, but so was the prejudice against volleying. as The All-England Club for many years occupied in lawn tennis practically the same position as did the M.C.C. in cricket, but it is on record that they did not use their authority with the same tact and discretion as was shown by those in power at Lord's.
In 1880 there was much discontent amongst players, and in 1884 an attempt was made LAWN TENNIS.
LAWN TENNIS] to start a Lawn Tennis Association. The players, however, did not support the movement very well, and the All-England executive promised to mend their ways, so nothing came of this agitation. In 1888, however, the Lawn Tennis Association was formed.
The year 1881 was a very important one in the life of lawn tennis. There was an enormous demand for rackets, balls, and other implements of the game. The play of the famous Renshaws revolutionised the game. Their volleying and smashing made lawn tennis much more interesting than it was when the game consisted of interminable rests of semi-lobs. The introduction of volleying led in 1882 to an alteration in the height of the net.
It was lowered to 3 ft. 6 in. at the post, and from that time the measurements and arrangements of the courts and nets have remained practically unaltered.
Very great interest was taken in the game in 1883. The controversy " Volleyer v. Baseliner" was carried on to the courts, and the famous H. F. Lawford proved that a combination of the two styles is best-and that holds good even to the present day.
Mr. Lawford did not believe in persistent rushing to the net, but he never neglected a fair chance to go in on a good-length ball, and in the main those are the soundest of sound tactics to-day.
How to Mark Out a Court. - The usual method of marking out a court is to take the line where the net is intended to cross it, and to peg off diagonals of a certain length to the end of the side lines. This 10 = 12 B 8 7 ७. 5 6 5 4 1 2 3 HEDGE FIG. I. (Triangle not to scale.) D the method. Lay down the side-line AB 78 ft. in length wherever you intend to have it. You must now remember that the figures 3, 4, and 5, or any multiple of them, will give you a right angle, so you put in a peg at C 4 ft. from B. Your assistant stands at B, and you measure out 12 ft. of tape-that is, the sum of 3, 4, and 5-and give him both ends of the tape to hold at B. You then pass the tape round C, noting that the 4 ft. is correct. Then you take another peg and put it in at the corner, D, of the triangle made by stretching the tape tight at the 9-ft. mark. This gives you your right angle, and the rest is simple, for it means merely drawing parallel lines, as every line in a lawn tennis court is parallel with either a side-line or a base-line. The measurements of the courts are given in the diagrams in the rules. method is open to objection, for generally the side-line runs parallel with something, be it a hedge, a walk, or a wall, and a very few inches off the right angle, which the net should make with such hedge, walk, or wall, will throw the side-line seriously out.
The best way is to get the long linethe side-line-down first. Fig. I will show Implements of the Game. It is useless to endeavour to enjoy lawn tennis with inferior implements. It will be best for anyone who has not some friend who knows the game to get a reputable firm like F. H.
Ayres, Ltd., to attend to his requirements.
He can then rely on getting everything sound and of the best, particularly the balls, which contribute so materially to the enjoyment or otherwise of the game. Stopnetting or some other means of stopping the ball is required all round the court.