Good left halves are a rare breed.
The position of a left half has more difficulties than attractions attached to it. A majority of players would prefer easier positions that are more 'showy' than the left half position. It is a very specialist position and a player must work hard at mastering this position. Hitting, stopping and dribbling in this position requires a staggering level of skill as the player always finds that the hockey ball lands on his/her weaker left side requiring positional adjustment.
One of the main frustrating aspect of the left half position is the fact that a greater part of the game is played on the easier right side on the pitch. Consequently, it is quite common for the left half to drift way towards the right side. In modern hockey, this at times is acceptable whereas in the more traditional game played in India, this seldom occurred.
Defending:
Traditionally, the first duty of the left half is to mark the opposing outside right (right-winger), whom he/she is absolutely responsible for. Not ending there, he/she is also responsible for the opposing inside right. One of the most difficult aspect is for the left half to intercept the pass from the opposing right inner to his right winger. To intercept these passes, what the left half needs to do is to let his right full back or his inside left to approach the opposing right inner and attempt the tackle. At the same time, the left half should position himself one or two yards away from the winger he/she is marking. He/she needs to be aware of the 'through' ball that in opposing right inner may attempt to the right winger to which the left half must make a quick dash to intercept it.
If the opposing play takes place on their left side, and as the attack builds and gets closer towards his 25 yard line, the left half needs to leave the outside right and move further in to mark the opposing inside right. This is because at that point near the 25 yard line, it is more dangerous for the inside right to get the ball compared to the right wing.
Attacking:
In attack, the main task of the left half is to feed his inside left and left winger. The pass should always go on the stronger right side of his left side forward line.
An example of a tactic that he/she can employ is to attempt the opposing right half to come forward to attack him/her. This would result in the completion of a successful pass to the left winger. Taking this into greater detail, this pass should happen with the flick of the wrist only without turning the body as this would show the opponent the intentio
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