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Chapter II
THE DEFENCE
The general understanding is that the
side not having the ball is on the defen¬
sive, but in reality a team is on the defen¬
sive as long as it is in its own territory,
whether it has the ball or not. Defence
will be used here in the ordinary sense:
the side not having the ball.
The importance of a systematic and
scientific defence is emphasized by the
fact that it is just one-half of the game.
A team with a perfect defence, while it
may never win, certainly can never lose.
Ori the other hand, it may be able to score
itself, but if it cannot keep the other side
from scoring, may lose in spite of a fairly
good offensive game.