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POSITION PLAY
71
But, like everything else, the position is
just what the player makes it.
Physically the centre-rush should be a
large, strong, and heavy man, who is at the
same time active and fleet-footed. Men¬
tally he should be at all times perfectly cool
and self-possessed, and of an even temper,
always full of enthusiasm, without excite¬
ment. A six-footer from about 190 to 210
pounds is the best style of a man, because
he can better protect his quarter. Care
should be taken not to select a fat, lazy,
phlegmatic man, because he is of abso¬
lutely no use whatever.
On the offensive, the first duty of the
centre-rush is to put the ball in play.
Much depends upon this. The team can
play no faster than he does. If he is slow,
the whole thing is slow. He must fol¬
low the ball closely, and the moment it is
down, take it from his back and put it
down for the next play. When the ball
goes out of bounds, he must be the first