What are the key components of lacrosse face-off sticks. How do face-off specialists choose the right equipment. What techniques can improve face-off success rates. How do rules and violations impact face-off strategy. Why are face-offs crucial in lacrosse gameplay.
The Anatomy of Lacrosse Face-Off Sticks
Lacrosse face-off sticks are specialized equipment designed for the crucial face-off moments in the game. These sticks consist of two main components: the head and the shaft. Each element plays a vital role in a player’s ability to win face-offs consistently.
Face-Off Heads
Face-off heads are engineered to provide maximum control and quick ball retrieval. They typically feature:
- A narrow throat for precise ball control
- Flexible sidewalls to aid in clamping the ball
- A short, stiff scoop for quick ground ball pickups
- Reinforced plastic to withstand the intense pressure of face-offs
Are all lacrosse heads suitable for face-offs? No, specialized face-off heads are designed to withstand the unique stresses of this position and offer superior control compared to traditional heads.
Face-Off Shafts
The shaft of a face-off stick is equally important. Key characteristics include:
- Shorter length (typically 30-32 inches) for increased maneuverability
- Lightweight materials like carbon fiber or titanium for quick reactions
- Textured grips to prevent slipping during intense face-off battles
- Durability to withstand repeated ground contact and opponent pressure
Selecting the Perfect Face-Off Stick Combination
Choosing the right face-off stick is crucial for success. Players must consider several factors when selecting their equipment:
- Playing style: Aggressive face-off specialists may prefer stiffer heads, while finesse players might opt for more flexible options.
- Strength and size: Larger players can handle heavier, more durable sticks, while smaller players might benefit from lighter, more maneuverable options.
- League regulations: Different leagues may have specific rules regarding stick dimensions and materials.
- Personal preference: Some players prefer a certain feel or balance in their stick that can only be determined through practice and experimentation.
How can players determine the best face-off stick for their needs? It’s recommended to try various combinations of heads and shafts during practice sessions to find the perfect match for individual playing styles and physical attributes.
Advanced Face-Off Techniques and Strategies
Mastering face-offs requires more than just the right equipment. Successful face-off specialists employ a variety of techniques to gain an edge:
The Clamp
This fundamental technique involves quickly clamping down on the ball with the back of the stick head. A strong clamp can immobilize the ball, allowing the player to scoop it up or direct it to a teammate.
The Rake
The rake technique involves using a quick motion to pull the ball backwards between the legs. This move can be effective when executed with proper timing and stick placement.
The Plunger
This advanced move involves pushing forward over the ball, then quickly reversing direction to pop it out behind. The plunger requires excellent coordination and stick control.
Can face-off techniques be combined for greater effectiveness? Absolutely. Elite face-off specialists often blend multiple techniques or use fakes to keep opponents guessing.
Face-Off Rules and Violations: Navigating the Complexities
Understanding the rules governing face-offs is crucial for players and coaches alike. Key regulations include:
- Players must place the backs of their sticks on the ground parallel to the centerline
- The ball must be placed between the heads of the opposing players’ sticks
- Players cannot move until the whistle is blown
- Hands cannot be used to play the ball during the face-off
Common violations include:
- Moving before the whistle
- Using hands to play the ball
- Stepping on an opponent’s stick
- Withholding the ball from play
What are the consequences of face-off violations? Violations typically result in possession being awarded to the opposing team. Multiple violations can lead to time-serving penalties, putting the offending team at a significant disadvantage.
The Impact of Face-Offs on Game Strategy and Momentum
Face-offs play a crucial role in lacrosse, often determining possession, momentum, and ultimately, the outcome of games. Winning face-offs consistently can provide several advantages:
- Increased offensive possessions
- Control over game tempo
- Ability to mount comebacks or protect leads
- Psychological advantage over opponents
How do coaches adapt their strategies based on face-off performance? Teams with strong face-off specialists may employ more aggressive offensive tactics, knowing they have a higher likelihood of regaining possession. Conversely, teams struggling in face-offs might focus on defensive strategies to mitigate the impact of lost possessions.
Training and Conditioning for Face-Off Specialists
Becoming an elite face-off specialist requires dedicated training and conditioning. Key areas of focus include:
Physical Conditioning
- Core strength exercises to improve stability and power
- Wrist and forearm workouts to enhance stick control
- Explosive leg exercises for quick starts and direction changes
- Cardiovascular training for endurance during repeated face-offs
Mental Preparation
- Studying opponent tendencies and techniques
- Visualization exercises to improve focus and reaction time
- Stress management techniques to maintain composure under pressure
Technical Drills
- Repetitive clamp and release exercises
- Partner drills to simulate game-like conditions
- Reaction time drills using visual and auditory cues
- Ground ball pickup drills to improve ball control after winning face-offs
How often should face-off specialists train? Dedicated face-off practice should be incorporated into daily training routines, with additional focus sessions 2-3 times per week to refine specific techniques and strategies.
The Evolution of Face-Off Equipment and Techniques
The world of lacrosse face-offs has seen significant evolution over the years, driven by advancements in equipment technology and innovative playing styles. Some notable developments include:
Equipment Innovations
- Introduction of specialized face-off heads with flex points and reinforced plastics
- Development of ultra-lightweight shafts for increased maneuverability
- Customizable grip options to suit individual preferences
- Integration of data-tracking technology to analyze face-off performance
Technique Advancements
- Refinement of traditional clamp and rake techniques
- Introduction of new moves like the “motorcycle grip” and “French exit”
- Increased emphasis on using the entire body in face-off motions
- Development of counter-moves to combat evolving strategies
How have rule changes impacted face-off strategies? Recent rule modifications, such as the “moto grip” ban and stricter enforcement of pre-whistle movements, have forced players to adapt their techniques and equipment choices.
The Role of Analytics in Face-Off Performance
In the modern era of lacrosse, analytics play an increasingly important role in evaluating and improving face-off performance. Key metrics and tools include:
Performance Metrics
- Face-off win percentage
- Clean win rate (winning possession without a ground ball battle)
- Directional win tendencies (forward, backward, left, right)
- Time to possession after whistle
Analysis Tools
- High-speed video analysis to break down technique
- GPS tracking to measure player movement and positioning
- Force sensors to analyze stick pressure and timing
- Machine learning algorithms to identify patterns and predict opponent strategies
How can teams leverage analytics to gain a competitive edge in face-offs? By analyzing performance data, teams can identify strengths and weaknesses, tailor training programs, and develop game plans that maximize their face-off success rates.
The world of lacrosse face-offs is a complex and ever-evolving aspect of the sport. From specialized equipment to advanced techniques and analytical approaches, face-off specialists must continually adapt and refine their skills to stay competitive. As the game continues to evolve, so too will the strategies and technologies surrounding this crucial element of lacrosse.
Understanding the nuances of face-off sticks, techniques, and rules is essential for players looking to excel in this specialized role. By combining the right equipment with dedicated training and a deep understanding of the game’s strategies, face-off specialists can significantly impact their team’s success on the field.
As lacrosse continues to grow in popularity and sophistication, the importance of face-offs is likely to increase. Teams that invest in developing strong face-off specialists and integrating face-off strategy into their overall game plan will have a distinct advantage in controlling possession and dictating the flow of the game.
Whether you’re a player looking to improve your face-off skills, a coach seeking to enhance your team’s performance, or a fan wanting to deepen your understanding of the game, the world of lacrosse face-offs offers a fascinating area of study and development. By staying informed about the latest equipment innovations, technique advancements, and analytical approaches, you can gain valuable insights into this critical aspect of lacrosse and potentially unlock new levels of success on the field.
Lacrosse Face-Off Violation
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In lacrosse, a face-off occurs at the beginning of each period and after each goal to decide which team will gain possession. In a face-off, both teams send a player to the middle of the field to compete for the ball. The two players kneel on the ground with their backs to their respective goalies and then attempt to grapple the ball away from each other after the referee blows his whistle. There are many different actions that can be classified as a face-off violation.
Table of Contents
- Definition
- Result
- Referee Signal
- Examples
- Helpful Links
- Similar Penalties to a Face-Off Violation
- FAQ
Definition
During a game of lacrosse, a face-off happens whenever a period begins or after either team scores a goal. Face-offs can also occur during certain special circumstances of a game, such as in the case of injuries or simultaneous fouls by both teams. In a face-off, two players from opposing teams crouch facing each other with their sticks held parallel so that the netted portion faces their right side. The ball is placed between the player’s sticks by the referee, who then has the players set their positions, backs off, and blows his whistle. The two players fight over the ball at the whistle to see who can retrieve it first and gain possession.
Due to this complex procedure, there are many violations that can occur during a lacrosse face-off and subsequently be penalized by the referee. Face-off violations can be called if face-off players hold the heads of their sticks to the left side of their body during a face-off, as it is against the rules to do so. Additionally, a face-off violation occurs whenever a player in the face-off position moves from his position prior to the referee’s whistle. Face-off players also cannot allow any part of their body to encroach upon their opponent’s side of the face-off line before the whistle blows.
If a referee has to verbally warn a player to adjust their face-off position too many times, a face-off violation may also be called.
There are other actions that also constitute a face-off violation in lacrosse. It is illegal for players facing off to make any loud or distracting noises in an attempt to intimidate their opponent into jumping before the whistle. It is also illegal for face-off players to use their hands to hold down their opponent’s stick in order to stop them from getting the ball. Face-off players cannot put any part of their bodies on the head of an opponent’s stick or touch the ball with their hands or fingers. It is illegal to kick an opponent’s stick during a face-off or to hold the ball in place for more than several seconds without a teammate to assist. Face-off players cannot have the ball on the back of their sticks for more than a single step after winning the face-off without receiving a violation. Finally, it is illegal for any team to send its goalie to face-off..jpg)
Result
If a player commits a face-off violation, the referee will stop the face-off and award the ball to the opposing team. If both players commit a violation during the face-off, it will be redone. In most lacrosse leagues, face-off violations contribute to a team’s overall violation count. A single violation may not cause any penalties, but if three team-wide violations occur throughout a half, a 30-second technical foul is given to one of the team’s players and is given out for every additional violation after the third. During a technical foul, the offending player kneels in the penalty box for 30 seconds, during which time his team plays at a disadvantage. If a player attempts to use their hands to play the ball during a face-off or grab their opponent’s stick, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty is given, which is a personal foul, often earning a one to three-minute suspension from the game.
The signal for a face-off violation depends upon the type of violation being committed.
For example, if the violation is the third of the half, the referee will signal a technical foul by forming a “T” with his arms. If the violation is an unsportsmanlike conduct foul, the referee will hold his arms out to his sides, parallel with the ground. If a face-off player touches the ball illegally, the referee will bend his elbows and place his palms above his shoulders.
Examples
- During a face-off, Player 2 of Team A uses their hand to touch or grasp the ball after the referee’s whistle is blown. The referee stops the face-off and awards Team B the ball. This violation is Team A’s third violation of the half. Thus, Player 2 serves two penalties, the first for unsportsmanlike conduct due to touching the ball with his hands and the second a technical foul for committing his team’s third face-off violation.
- During a face-off, Player 1 of Team A gets the ball stuck in his crosse for more than one step after capturing it, meaning that the ball cannot be played effectively.
The referee immediately blows his whistle and gives possession of the ball to Team B, as Player 1 was unable to remove the ball from his crosse to change possession. - During a face-off, Player 3’s hand or thumb, closest to the head of their stick, is in an illegal position for a face-off. The referee awards the ball to the opposing team.
- During a face-off, Player 1 makes a loud comment intended to startle Player 2 and cause him to jump before the whistle. Player 1 receives an unsportsmanlike conduct foul and is punished with a one-minute penalty.
The referee immediately blows his whistle and gives possession of the ball to Team B, as Player 1 was unable to remove the ball from his crosse to change possession.- Face-Off Rulebook
- The Lacrosse Face-Off: Everything You Need to Know
- Lacrosse Face-off Rules and Changes
- Video: Face-Off Rules
Similar Penalties to a Face-Off Violation
- Interference
- Illegal Crosse
- Illegal Equipment
- Holding
- Delay of Game
FAQ
What is a face-off violation in lacrosse?
In lacrosse, a face-off violation occurs whenever a player participating in a face-off follows improper procedures for a face-off play.
There are various types of face-off violations, including touching the ball with one’s hands or fingers, going early on the face-off, pinning down an opponent’s stick, or not holding one’s stick with the crosse to the right side of the body. Face-off violations contribute to a team’s overall violation count, resulting in penalties in some leagues if it rises above three violations over the course of a half.
What are the consequences of being called for a face-off violation in lacrosse?
In lacrosse, a single violation usually results in no penalties. However, committing a face-off violation will forfeit your chance at the face-off and award the ball to the other team. In some leagues, if a team commits three violations during a half, the offending player on the third violation receives a 30-second technical foul and must kneel in the penalty box for 30 seconds. A similar foul is given out for every violation after the third. If a player plays the ball with their hands during a face-off or grabs their opponent’s stick, they receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and anywhere from a one to three-minute suspension from play.
Is body contact allowed during a face-off?
Players engaging in a face-off frequently experience body contact while jostling for the ball. During a face-off, parts of the players’ bodies often will connect as they compete for possession of the ball. However, certain forms of body contact, such as an illegal body check or pushing from behind the player, may result in penalties even during a face-off. Certain contact that impedes play, such as holding a player’s stick down with one’s hands or stick, also counts as a face-off violation.
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Pages Related to Lacrosse Face-Off Violation
- Lacrosse Penalties
- Lacrosse Crease Violation
- Lacrosse Illegal Screen Penalty
- Lacrosse Illegal Procedure Penalty
- Lacrosse Illegal Body Check Penalty
- Lacrosse Cross-Checking Penalty
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Face-Off Drills [ARTICLE] – Coaches Insider
By: Don Zimmerman and Peter England
Originally Published in: Men’s Lacrosse
Provided by: Human Kinetics
FACE-OFF DRILLS
Face-offs are a personal battle.
Facing off is a specialist skill that requires a lot of discipline and training. The following drills teach the fundamentals of the basic stick moves. As with any contest that requires close body contact, repetition is the key.
CHOP DRILL
Purpose
To learn hand and stick quickness.
Setup
The player gets in his stance; a coach or teammate is positioned nearby.
Execution
The player practices bringing the stick head back and forth over the resting ball. The teammate or coach can say “Go” and then “Stop” or can use a whistle.
Coaching Points
This drill helps players improve their hand quickness and make the “topping” motion more natural and second nature.
CLAMP DRILL
Purpose
To learn how to clamp the ball.
Setup
The player gets in his faceoff stance.
Execution
The player practices clamping over the resting ball.
The player can use either a power clamp or a quick clamp stick maneuver.
Coaching Points
• The purpose of the drill is to introduce the clamping motion.
• At first, the player doesn’t move his feet. Then he can add a step with his right foot and follow with a left-foot step to reset his balance over the ball.
CLAMP AND DRAW DRILL
Purpose
To learn how to draw the ball between your legs.
Setup
The player gets in his faceoff stance.
Execution
The player clamps the ball with his stick, steps with his right foot, and draws the ball between his legs. The player can use either a power clamp or a quick clamp stick maneuver.
Coaching Points
• This drill teaches players how to draw the ball out between their legs, which is a common technique with many stick moves.
• The player can add a pivot on the right foot and scoop the ball.
BACK-TO-BACK
Purpose
To learn how to box out.
Setup
Two players get back to back over a resting ball; a coach or teammate is positioned nearby.
Execution
The teammate or coach says “Go” or blows a whistle. Both players jockey for position over the ball, but they don’t use their sticks. On the second command or whistle, both players attempt to scoop the ball.
Coaching Points
In this drill, the goal is to move the opponent off the ball and box him out for posession.
FOOTWORK DRILL
Purpose
To develop foot agility.
Setup
The player places his stick handle on the ground; a coach or teammate is positioned nearby.
Execution
On a command or whistle, the player jumps back and forth over the handle of his stick, jumps back and forth over the head of his stick, and jumps back and forth along the length of his stick.
Coaching Points
This drill helps players develop foot agility, which is vital in the face-off technique.
Lacrosse – TV channel “Nauka”
Contact sports game between two teams, using a small rubber ball and a club with a long handle.
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Player
Read online Save Me by Mona Castaing – Litres, page 4
Ruby
I can’t feel my feet.
Lacrosse is a fast sport. The ball flies from one club to another. I can hardly keep up with him to take a picture. I had to admit from the very beginning that without Lyn, I would not be able to document the game. Usually we share reports about sports among ourselves: one records the course of the game, and the other photographs. But today, Lynn again urgently went to London at the call of her mother, and we did not have time to find a replacement for her from the event organization group.
Since the lacrosse team gets the most views on our blog, we didn’t want to give it up. The problem is that for a report with the headline “Maxton Hall vs. Eastview – Clash of the Giants” I need to clearly understand what is actually happening on the field. But among the screams of the players, the loud instructions of the coaches and the jubilation of the spectators, it is quite difficult to catch the course of the game, and even more so to take usable pictures. Especially considering that I have to deal with a camera that is at least ten years old.
– Damn it! Coach Freeman roared next to me, so much so that I flinched.
I looked up at the field and realized that I missed the second goal from Eastview. Damn it. Lin will kill me.
I squeezed closer to the coach. When you watch the game live and not on TV, there is no instant replay of the moment, but maybe the coach will at least explain what is happening. But before I could open my mouth, he started yelling again:
– Pass it on, damn it, Ellington!
I turned to the field. Alistair Ellington rushed towards the enemy so fast that I would not even have had time to photograph it. He tried to squeeze between the two defenders, but out of nowhere a third player appeared on the way. Ellington, while agile as hell, was quite small compared to the other guys. Even I knew that against three he had no chance.
One of the defenders kicked hard while running. Ellington stayed on his feet, but was thrown a good two feet across the slippery grass.
Pass! the coach shouted.
Alistair again ran into an opponent, even I, on the other side of the field, could hear how they vilify each other. Alistair’s already tense body suddenly turned completely to stone, and for a second it seemed that he and his opponent were frozen in the same position. Coach Freeman had already taken a deep breath, apparently to shout another order, but then Alistair swung his club and hit the opponent in the side.
I froze in horror. Alistair struck again, this time in the stomach of his opponent. He screamed in pain and fell to his knees. Another defender pounced on Alistair, knocked him to the ground and began to beat, without taking off his gloves. Alistair hit him with a stick. A shrill whistle sounded, but it took the help of several people to pull the fighters apart. I heard the deep voice of James Beaufort. He yelled at Ellington. And I could imagine that he, as the captain of the team, would now be happy to tear off his head.
Coach Freeman cursed non-stop next to me.
Of all his expletives, “damned shit” was the most harmless. He took off his cap and began tearing at his hair with such fury that it seemed to me that a couple of tufts fell to the ground. Soon the referee removed Alistair from the field.
He came up to us on the edge of the platform, took off his helmet and took the mouthguard out of his mouth. All this was casually thrown to the ground.
– What the hell happened, Ellington? the coach growled.
I backed away carefully so as not to get hit by a hot hand.
“The asshole deserved it,” Alistair replied. His voice was completely calm, as if he had not been involved in the fight.
– Are you…
– Suspended from the next three games? Alistair shrugged. – If you think that it will be better for the team, then good luck.
He slowly walked past the coach, threw his stick on the ground and began to take off his gloves. When he saw me, he stopped.
– What? he asked defiantly.
I shook my head.
Fortunately, the referee’s whistle saved me from having to answer. As quickly as possible, I returned to my original position. It took me a few seconds to figure out where the ball was now – and it was on Ran Fitzgerald’s stick. Ren is not as fast as Alistair, but he is strong. He shouldered the Eastview player out of the way, but the ball was taken from him. However, Beaufort caught up with the opponent and intercepted the ball.
I grimaced, Beaufort was so good. Even damn good. He moved nimbly, adjusted to the pace of the enemy and did not spare anyone who got in his way. I couldn’t see his face because of the helmet, but I had no doubt that he was enjoying the game immensely. When James is on the field, it seems like all his life he has done is run through a crowd of opponents with clubs.
– What are you doing here? Alistair’s voice suddenly came from behind. He not only made me shudder, but also reminded me why I, in fact, am here. I quickly opened my notebook.
“I’m writing a game report for Maxton- blog ,” I said without looking up. – What is the name of the defender who took the ball from Ren?
“Harrington,” Alistair replied. I felt his eyes on me, and Coach Freeman at this time uttered another abusive tirade. Apparently, while I was busy recording, Beaufort missed the ball. Eastview took over the game again.
“Come on, Kesh,” Alistair said softly.
Forward Eastview jumped up half a meter to grab the ball. After landing, he took two short steps and threw the ball forward with a powerful movement. Everything happened so quickly that at first I did not understand whether he hit the net or not. But when Keshav lifted the stick up, there was a loud jubilation in the stands from the direction of Maxton Hall. Looks like Alistair’s quiet spell worked – he caught the ball.
“Let me stand by while you write the report,” Alistair said while I was writing in my notebook: “Keshav caught the ball at the last second.
”
I looked at him incredulously. The first time I saw him up close.
– You beat another player for no reason. How can I justify your actions?
A shadow passed over his face as he looked towards Keshav again:
– Who said there was no reason?
I shrugged my shoulders:
– From the outside it looked like you didn’t really think about what you were doing.
Alistair raised an eyebrow high:
– I’ve been waiting months for the moment to clean McCormack’s face. And as soon as he opened his mouth and started insulting my friends, I had a great excuse.
He brushed away a blond curl that had fallen on his forehead. Then his eyes fell on my notes. He grimaced:
– How are you going to decipher this when you write the article? This is impossible to read.
I wanted to argue, but he was right. I usually have normal handwriting, and if I try, even beautiful. But with the speed with which I recorded the progress of the game, it was not possible to make notes legible.
There were terrible doodles.
– Usually we are alone. I started making excuses, even though I didn’t care what Alistair Ellington thought about my handwriting. – And it’s not so easy to take pictures and watch the game at the same time, so that you can record everything later.
– Why didn’t you just videotape the game? It sounded like he was genuinely interested, rather than looking for an excuse to laugh at me.
I didn’t answer and raised my camera.
Alistair grimaced again:
– How old is this thing?
“I think my mother bought it before my sister was born,” I replied.
– How old is your sister? Five?
– Sixteen.
Alistair blinked, then broke into a smile. Now he looked nothing like the brutal lacrosse player who had beaten a man with a stick a few minutes ago. More like… an angel. He had beautiful, regular features, framed by blond curls – he seemed absolutely harmless. But I knew it wasn’t. Alistair was considered one of James Beaufort’s best friends, which means he’s definitely not harmless.
“Wait a minute,” he suddenly said, turned and disappeared into the aisle leading to the dressing rooms. I didn’t have time to figure out what the guy was thinking, as he was already standing in front of me, holding a black iPhone in his hands.
“Although it doesn’t have enough memory to shoot the whole game, I can take some shots,” he said. Alistair unlocked the screen, opened the camera and aimed the lens at the field. Noticing that I was standing still, he raised an eyebrow:
– And you look at the game, not at me.
I was so surprised that I stopped following the progress of the most important game.
– Do you want to help?
He shrugged his shoulders:
– I have nothing else to do anyway.
– That’s… very nice of you. Thank you.
– I tried not to sound too incredulous, but I failed. I couldn’t believe it was Elaine Ellington’s brother. Elaine wouldn’t have come to help me. I would just make fun of the camera and make sure everyone knew about it the next day.
I looked at Alistair out of the corner of my eye for a while. He seemed to be serious about the new task. He took one picture after another and only occasionally lowered his phone to shout something encouraging to the team or scold opponents.
I completely immersed myself in recording, now it was much easier to do. When Coach Freeman approached us, at first I thought he wanted to fire Alistair for saying bad things about striker Eastview. But instead, he stood next to me and began to explain the game and suggested the names of some maneuvers.
Ten minutes left until the end of the match, it started to rain. But this circumstance cheered up fans and players even more. After Maxton Hall decided the game with a pass from Cyril Vega to Beaufort, the fans seemed to go crazy. The trainer let out an animal cry, turned to them and raised his clenched fists.
I quickly closed my notebook and stuffed it into my backpack. My hair was wet and my bangs stuck to my forehead.
It was pointless to correct it, and I didn’t want to comb it back at all, since I inherited a rather high forehead from my father.
The players jogged out of the field one by one, each giving Alistair a high five, all except Keshav, who immediately went to the dressing room without even looking in his direction. Alistair’s face flashed with an emotion that I could not figure out. The smile faded for a moment, and his eyes darkened and became as if impenetrable. But then Alistair blinked, and the happy expression returned so quickly that I thought I was dreaming it all.
Alistair noticed my gaze again and raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Thanks again,” I said quickly to get ahead of him. I didn’t know if he would be as nice to me when friends were around, and I didn’t want to check it at all. – For pictures.
– Not at all. He poked the phone’s touch screen and handed it to me. The dialing mode was opened on the screen. Enter yours so I can send you pictures.
I took the phone. But before I could dial my number, I heard a voice that I already knew so well:
– What are you doing here?
I was taken aback.
Standing in front of me was James Beaufort. He was soaked to the skin: the rain darkened his blond hair and fell on his forehead, which made his features even more angular. He held a club in one hand, a helmet in the other, and did not seem to be particularly worried that the water dripped from his face, down his shoulders and further mixed with the dirt that had stuck to his tights during the game.
I involuntarily stared at his wet body. This sight awakened something in me that had nothing to do with a feeling of distrust and dislike. And although this was the first time I experienced something like this, I knew for sure that James Beaufort was the last person I would want to experience this for.
I firmly put aside all thoughts of what this might mean and tried to look as indifferent as possible.
Luckily Alistair answered first:
– She is writing an article about the game for Maxton’s blog. – He took the phone from my hands, looked at the number and at the name under which I saved it. I doubt he knew my name before. “I’ll send you pictures later, Ruby.
“Super, thank you very much,” I thanked, although mentally I was already prepared for the fact that he most likely would not send anything. No matter how much he surprised me in the last thirty minutes, he was still Alistair Ellington.
– I’ll go see how angry Cash is…
– He’s very angry, – James said and coldly looked at his friend and teammates. “Just like me and everyone else. I told you not to touch McCormack.
– I didn’t hear you. Alistair shrugged. “You may be my captain, James, but not my mother. It sounded like he didn’t care what James thought of him, but then he patted him on the shoulder in what looked like an apology. After that, he turned and went to the locker room.
James’ eyes fell on me again. He was even colder than usual. Whether it was my fault or a brief quarrel with Alistair, I don’t know. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.
– What does this mean? – he asked.
In an instant, the rain seemed completely icy.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said more boldly than I really felt.
He made a short sound like laughter. Or lay? Not completely sure. I noticed that his posture became stiffer, and his expression even more determined.
– Get rid of my friends, Ruby.
I didn’t even have time to say a word when he suddenly quickly walked around me from the side and headed towards the dressing room, while the spectators in the stands continued to cheer.
– Rotten party. Ren took a long gulp from his flask and handed it to Cyril, who was standing next to him, leaning on the balustrade with the same squeamish expression on his face.
Below us was Weston Hall, a prominent, luxurious dance hall with typical Maxton Hall windows in the Renaissance style, wicker parquet and stucco on the walls.
Like the rest of the campus, this hall transported you to a fifteenth-century atmosphere, or at least it usually did.
But that evening you got the feeling that you were at a children’s party. They missed the mark, and the buffet consisted of children’s punch and snacks in glass jars decorated with bows. The music was terrible. What the DJ was doing at his console remains a mystery to me. There are no transitions between songs, more than once it was thought that he simply turned on the playlist in Spotify and pressed “shuffle”. I kept waiting for general irritation to fall on this dilettante. In addition, the guests did not quite understand how to dress for the party. Some overdid it, others came in what they were.
On the whole, the evening turned out to be a complete failure. It seemed that someone wanted to bring something new to Maxton Hall, but could not completely abandon the traditions. The result was a strange mixture of nobility and innovation, which confused the guests and stifled any spark of fun.
– Oh, come on. It’s not that bad,” Alistair interrupted my thoughts. He shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked on his feet, his eyes fixed on the dance floor, where only two or three people stood.
“You’re the only one who likes this party,” Cash rolled his eyes.
Alistair shrugged:
– Because she’s funny.
Kesh twisted his mouth. He took the flask from Cyril and, without taking a sip, handed it to me.
– Wait, it’s still going to be fun. I allowed myself to take a long sip of whiskey and enjoyed the way it burned my throat.
Ren looked from me to Alistair. Then he bulged his eyes:
– Are you thinking of something?
I didn’t answer, just shrugged the stoves slightly, but Alistair, as always, betrayed her facial expressions. It is not necessary to know him well to guess by his face: he is up to something. The guy was betrayed by cunningly sparkling eyes and a tense posture.
– I can’t believe it. Did you think of something, told him , but not to me? Ren pointed reproachfully at Alistair, then at me.
And that’s called best friend? Yes, this is a betrayal.
I grinned:
– Betrayal?
He nodded vigorously:
Treason. A crime against the brotherhood that has bound us since childhood.
– Bullshit.
I received a boxer’s blow to the shoulder for a mean answer.
“Look at it the other way, Ren, he’s got a cool surprise for you,” Alistair said and pinched Ren’s cheek. He grimaced:
– I hope he succeeds.
His tongue was already tangled, although the flask went around us only three times. However, when Ren grabbed the flask again, I did not take it away. Of course, it is shameful to drink expensive whiskey Bowmore like this, and not from crystal glasses, but at parties in Maxton Hall alcohol is poured only to parents or longtime graduates. Students are strictly prohibited from even approaching the bar. Of course, this never stopped us, we knew how to organize our own fun, and most teachers turned a blind eye to the fact that we were drunk.
The most serious thing we could get for this was a remark.
My parents donate so much money every year that the school has no choice but to turn a blind eye to us. The management simply cannot afford to lose favor – ours or our friends’.
– Where did Lydia disappear to? Cyril asked. He wanted the phrase to sound light and frivolous, but we could not be fooled. Cyril has been in love with my sister for many years. But after they had something two years ago, things got really bad. Lydia, always thinking only of herself, left him after a couple of weeks, not even bothering that Cyril was head over heels in love with her and that she broke his heart.
I felt really sorry for him. Come to think of it, he hasn’t seen anyone else in two years, and he probably still yearns for her.
– Don’t you think it’s time for you to… I don’t know… move on? Alistair asked.
Cyril’s ice blue eyes darted a sizzling look at Alistair.
“Lydia went to her friend’s in the afternoon, I think she will come later,” I answered so as not to aggravate the situation.
Whenever we start talking about Lydia, Cyril feels terribly offended.
Under no circumstances should he know that my sister had something to do with a half-teacher.
Then I remembered that I should have another word with Mr. Sutton. If this bastard doesn’t leave his sister alone, I’ll make his job at Maxton Hall hell.
I regretted that I had not taken it up until now. But first, we had to make sure Ruby would keep her mouth shut. First of all, because there is something in this girl that causes doubts in me.
Two days ago we met her in the hallway when we went with Lydia to philosophy. My sister immediately lowered her eyes, and I stared at Ruby. Our eyes crossed, but after a moment she looked through me, as if through glass. I, on the contrary, followed her until we missed each other. I especially remember her proud posture. The way Ruby tightly gripped the folder, the purposeful gait and the upturned chin… She looked like she was going to fight.
I automatically searched for Ruby with my eyes.
My radar must have been tuned to her somehow, because in a crowd of hundreds of people I found her in a few seconds. I leaned on the railing of the balustrade and leaned forward slightly.
Ruby was standing at the edge of the buffet, jotting down something quickly on a clipboard. She raised her eyes, looked around, and continued to write. Then she abruptly turned around and ran to the musical installation, behind which stood the DJ. She showed him the notes.
Something clicked in my head.
Oh, hell.
She must be on the organizing committee team.
The corners of my lips trembled. It would be funny.
Ruby said something else to the DJ, who nodded. She then crossed the dance floor and returned to her seat at the buffet table, a little out of the way. She reached into the neckline of her dark green dress and pulled out her phone. She typed something on it and put it back. At that moment, a man in a suit approached her.
When I realized who it was, I involuntarily squeezed the wooden railing.
Graham Sutton.
In addition to always being suspicious of anyone approaching my sister, the sight of Sutton set off several alarm bells at once. Especially now that I’ve seen him talking to Ruby. Although she avoided his gaze, she didn’t look particularly angry.
I squinted, mentally cursing myself for standing up here and not at the buffet where I could hear what they were talking about. Maybe about something banal like organizing events. Or discussing my sister.
What if these two are together? What if Sutton made a deal with Ruby? This thought has not yet crossed my mind, and I doubt that my sister took it into account. Lydia never said how she got involved with the teacher, but I know her well enough to know that this man is more than just a source of adrenaline.
I had an indomitable need to protect Lydia. Without thinking, I took out my phone from the inside pocket of my jacket. Unlocked, swiped left on the screen to open the camera.
It was dark in the corner where Ruby and Mr.
