J. T. Hankinson on Sport – serie

Originally published in 1946, this was primarily a cricket book for schools and contained much that was new at the time. It was written by a schoolmaster, produced in a school, and a unique feature was that the action photographs are of boys who were at that time in the school team. The author had been coaching school cricket of all grades, Junior Games, House Games, and 1st XI teams for about 20 years, and was at the time of publication in charge of the cricket at Canford School, which, for a relatively small school, had recently produced some very good sides and players. In this book his methods are analysed in a style felt likely to commend itself to readers of all ages.There are 97 action photographs to illustrate the author’s teaching.While this book was primarily for schools, the instructional detail and the attractiveness of the photographs would also have appealed to more mature cricketers and the book was strongly recommended to all who are interested in the game. Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.

Originally published in 1946, this companion volume to the author’s cricket book deals with rugby football coaching and practice in schools. It is written by a schoolmaster, it was produced in a school, and a unique feature is that the action photographs are of boys who were at that time in the school teams. The author had been coaching rugby football of all grades, Junior Games, House Games, and First XV teams for about twenty years and was at the time of publication in charge of rugby football at Canford School. In this book his methods are analysed in a style likely to appeal to readers of all ages.The book opens with descriptions of the basic arts, passing, kicking, tackling, etc., required by all players, after which the play and tactics of each position on the field are analysed. A specially interesting chapter is that on the principles underlying the scoring of tries and countering defence. Other chapters deal with captaincy, team and positional practice, coaching, school organisation, how to watch a match, and notes on some of the rules.The book is illustrated by more than eighty magnificent action photographs. The choice of the shots is excellent and the efficiency with which the boys carried them out showed how well Mr Hankinson had been able to impart his teaching.While this book was primarily for schools, the instructional detail and the attractiveness of the photographs would also have appealed to more mature rugby players and the book was strongly recommended to all those who are interested in the game. Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.

Originally published in 1947, this book, the third of the series, deals with hockey coaching and practice in schools. It was produced in a School, and once again the action photographs are of boys who were at that time in the School Team. The author had considerable experience in the coaching of school hockey.The book opens with descriptions of the basic arts: hitting, gathering, dribbling, tackling etc., required of all players, after which the play and tactics of each position on the field are analysed. A specially interesting chapter is that on team tactics and positional play, and this chapter is illustrated by some excellent photographs of a tactical table, in which the dispositions in various situations are diagrammatically set out. Other chapters deal with captaincy, coaching, school organization, how to watch a match, and some explanatory comments on the rules of the game.The book is illustrated by many magnificent action photographs. While this book was primarily for schools, the instructional detail and the attractiveness of the photographs would also have appealed to more mature hockey players. Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.

Originally published in 1948, having written the first three books of this series alone, Hankinson is here joined by a colleague, A. H. Chadder. At the time many would have remembered Mr Chadder’s distinguished play at centre half for the Corinthians, and he had for some years been in charge of soccer at Malvern College. His dual experience as player and coach made him one of the leading authorities on the game, and therefore an excellent choice of a partner.The book opens with descriptions of the basic arts: gathering the ball, kicking, heading, etc., required of all players, after which the play and tactics of each position on the field are analysed. A specially interesting chapter is that on team tactics and positional play, and this chapter is illustrated by some excellent photographs of a tactical table, in which the dispositions of the players in various situations are diagrammatically set out. Other chapters deal with captaincy, coaching, how to watch a match, and some explanatory comments on the laws of the game.Once again the schoolboys have been used for the action photographs which illustrate the book throughout.There was every reason to believe that this book would repeat the outstanding successes of its three predecessors, and, while primarily for schools, the instructional detail and the attractiveness of the photographs would also have appealed to more mature players. Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.

Originally published in 1949, in Squash Rackets, Mr Hankinson produced something that was outstanding. The written description was reduced to a minimum, and the teaching was built up round the photographs – and these were remarkable for the time. For the first time action photographs illustrated all the strokes in squash rackets, and the young player who acted as model did his work excellently. Not content with that, the author and his photographer, used their ingenuity in providing excellent photographs to illustrate the tactical side of the game. A model court was constructed, and, as players, two realistic puppets were used. The result was a series of photographs which not only explain the tactics, but also looked most convincing.The author’s previous titles had been very successful, and this attractive and ingenious book was a welcome addition to the series. Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.

Originally published in 1951, in Lawn Tennis Mr Hankinson produced something that was outstandingly original at the time. The intention was to teach the game from the very beginnings, and to this end the written description was reduced to a minimum, and, so far as possible, the teaching was built up round the photographs. In some of these Mr Hankinson introduced four most life-like puppets, which he named the Lawn Tennis Quads, and they most effectively demonstrate the principles of the basic strokes. They are supported by action shots of young players. The author also constructed a model lawn tennis court, and to illustrate the more simple tactical situations of the game the puppets were invited to play singles and doubles on this court.The author’s previous titles had been very successful and yet this new volume seemed to reach a new level of carefully planned instruction. The introduction of the puppets was said to be a stroke of genius, and the skill shown in setting them up to demonstrate the technique of the strokes was masterly. The pictorial ingenuity may have overshadowed the text, but, apart from the more descriptive items there are stimulating chapters entitled “How to Watch a Match” and “Yourself and the Game.” Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.