Charles William Alcock

“ The provision which keeps a man always on-side as long as there are three between him and the opposite goal, offers undoubtedly a great temptation to forwards to get as far up as they can consistently with safely. To meet this, it was found necessary to strengthen the first line of defence, and the centre half-back was introduced therefore, though his mission is, in a great measure, to feed the forwards, to enable the other halves to pay more attention, in fact to devote themselves mainly, to stopping, or at least frustrating, the tactics of the opposite wing. ”

“ To be a really first-class half-back requires the possession of something more than skilful use of the feet To fill the position well, demands, not only quickness of discernment to counteract the tactics of the opposite forwards, but also judgment and decision to be able to take advantage of the best opportunity to assist those of one's own side. The half-backs are, or ought to be, as useful for the purposes of attack as for defence. ”

“ Gallery kicking should be altogether discountenanced; and indeed the ability of a half-back is not in any way dependent on the extent of the work he does in this particular way. Opportunities occur, and not unfrequently, in a game where he has a good chance of a shot at goal; but, as a rule, his occupation consists chiefly in providing openings for others. He ought to be the mutual friend of the backs as well of the forwards— of equal assistance to the latter in defence as to the former in attack. At the same time, it must be remembered that they have to watch the opposite forwards carefully ”