EFA

An Opinion from Nigeria

The reason for the controversies comes from one of the definitions of the ‘LET’ by the ‘Eton Laws of the Game of Eton Fives’ where it says, ‘A LET may be requested when a player is in any way prevented or impeded in his attempt to return the ball by any of the opposite side’.

However, the problem with this definition of a ‘LET’ is its inability to categorically clarify what constitutes ‘Prevention of a player by his opponent in his attempt to return the ball’. Thus, opposing Fives players, always engage in frequent disagreements when a ‘LET' request is made and when it is not to be made in the course of play, even where there is an umpire in place.

Another loop-hole from the said definition of a ‘LET’ is where it says ‘A LET may be requested’. This clearly gives room for rejection by the opposite side, since a request is not a right.

However, one can see how the said definition became the source of confusion in the Fives Game circle globally and the need for its redefinition for the progress of the game.

It is in the light of the above, I wish to forward my opinion to the public for discussion on what should be regarded as a ‘LET’ in respect of ‘Prevention of a player’s movement by his opponent’.

THE OPINION
Game of fives to my opinion, is a ‘Game of stamina, composure, positioning, swift thought, anticipation and smartness for the creation and execution of a deceptive, difficult or trapped balls to gain, score or oppose points for victory’.

To preserve and encourage the above technical definition of fives, a ‘LET’ in respect of “prevention of a player’s movement by opponent” supposed to read ‘when a player consciously or otherwise after a play, physically moves or runs his body into his opponent or the played ball impeding the opponent’s movement towards the played ball for return’.

It is also a ‘LET’ “when a player is impeded in his attempt to return a ball that was about to reach first or second bound near the opponent’s position, provided this player stretched his hand (without pushing the opponent) and touched the played ball before it reach the first or second bound”.

There are two reasons for the condition of the ‘player touching the ball’ before it reaches first or second bound. One, it proves that the player would have conveniently reached the position of the played ball in the absence of the accused player due to swift thought, anticipation, positioning and smartness. Secondly, the condition, denied a room for disagreements between the opposite sides on the question of ‘how close was the played ball to the opponent’s position’?

However, a ‘LET’ should not count where a player after a play, stands still blocking his opponent’s easiest way towards the played ball.

One may ask, can the blocked player, push his opponent who blocked him in order to prove a ‘LET’? No.

Why? All games that have the flavour of the game of Fives, where opposing players display near each other, has player Protection Law against pushing.

Considering the above technical meaning of the Game of Fives, blocking formations in the course of a play falls under ‘creation and execution of a difficult ball’.

WHAT IS A DIFFICULT BALL IN FIVES GAME?
Unlike a deceptive ball, a difficult ball is a noticeable ball stroke or volley in the course of a play, where its return attempt by the respondent player always accompany inconveniences, discomforts, struggle or pressure.

Written by: ABDU MAMMAN D.
(TANJILIN) NIGERIA

N.B: a book titled, ‘THE SECRETS OF FIVES GAME’ is in the making.

Article by Abdu Mamman 22nd August 2002
Created 12th September 2003 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk

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