 Preface of A Scientific and Practical Treatise on American Football for Schools and Colleges. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Campbell Shelp. A Scientific and Practical Treatise on American Football for Schools and Colleges by Henry L. Williams and Amos Alonzo Stag. The game of football is fast becoming the national fall sport of the American youth. Among the larger Eastern colleges where it has been fostered and developed, football has now been raised to a definite science. But in the West the game is, as yet, comparatively in its infancy. The demand has been rapidly increasing among the smaller colleges and large preparatory schools from year to year for competent coaches. And it is evident that there is felt a widespread want for some source of definite information which shall describe the manner of executing the various evolutions, the methods of interference and the more difficult and complicated points of the game. It is with the desire of meeting this want so far as is possible and with the hope of stimulating a love for the game and of raising the standard of play among the schoolboys of this country to whom the colleges and universities must look for the material out of which to construct their future elevens that the authors have prepared this volume. The endeavor has been made to begin with simple steps in the early development of the game and advance by gradual stages to the most difficult evolutions and scientific tactics which have been mastered up to the present day. In working out this principle, the aim throughout has been clearness and precision. While it is the primary desire to furnish in this work a practical aid in the attainment of a higher standard of play among the preparatory schools and colleges, still it is hoped that the general public will find it in assistance to the better understanding of American football which has come to hold such a prominent place in popular favor. The Authors, September 15th, 1893. End of Preface. Section 1 of a Scientific and Practical Treatise on American Football for Schools and Colleges by Henry L. Williams and almost Alonzo Stagg. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Section 1, Introductory Chapter for Beginners and Spectators American football is played on a rectangular field 330 feet long and 160 feet wide enclosed by heavy white lines marked in lime upon the ground. For the convenience of the referee in fulfilling his duties, the field is marked by additional lines five yards apart crossing from side to side to fifth from either end being indicated by an especially heavy one known as the 25-yard line. The center of the field is located at the middle point of the 11th line. At the center of the goal lines at each end of the field two goal posts from 15 to 20 feet high are erected 18 and one-half feet apart and connected by a crossbar 10 feet from the ground. Two teams of 11 men each contest in the game. Seven of them, called the rushers or forwards, stand opposing a corresponding seven of the opposite 11 whenever the ball is down for a scrimmage. The one in the middle is known as the center rusher or center and on either side of him are the right and left guards, the right and left tackles, and the right and left ends respectively. The four remaining players are the quarterback, right and left halfbacks, and the fullback who stand behind the line of rushers and occupy positions which vary according to whether they or their opponents have the ball. The positions which the players will occupy when about to execute the different movements of the game are shown by the diagrams in the chapter describing the various evolutions. At the beginning of the game the ball is placed at the center of the field. The side and possession of the ball constitutes the side of attack and endeavors to carry it down the field by kicking or running with it in order to place it on the ground behind the opponent's goal line. The other side, forced to act upon the defensive are drawn up in opposition and strive to check their advance and to get possession of the ball themselves so that they may no longer act upon the defensive but become in turn the attacking party. The rules of the game see final chapter place certain restrictions upon the attacking side and upon the defense and it is the attempt made in accordance with these rules by each side to retain the ball in their possession and carry it down the field through all opposition in order to place it behind their opponent's goal which furnishes in rough outline the essential features of the American game of football. Before the game is to begin the captains of the respective teams decide by a toss of the coin which side shall first be given possession of the ball. The side having the ball then places it down upon the center of the field and arrange themselves in any formation which they desire behind the line on which the ball is placed in preparation to force it into the enemy's territory. The side acting on the defensive are obliged to withdraw 10 yards toward their own goal and are there drawn up in opposition to await the attack of their opponents until after the ball is put in play. As the center rusher of the attacking side puts the ball in play by touching it with his foot and passing it back to some other player for a run or a kick down the field the rushers upon the defensive side are at liberty to charge forward to meet the attack. The clash following this charge constitutes the first actual encounter of the game. When the runner with the ball is caught or tackled thrown upon the ground and there held so that he can advance no further he calls down whereupon the ball is dead for the moment and cannot be carried forward or kicked until the center rusher again puts it in play according to rule. As soon as down is called an imaginary line crossing the field from side to side and passing through the center of the ball immediately comes into existence. Each player must remain on the side of this line toward his own goal until after the ball is put in play and it is one of the duties of the umpire rigidly to enforce this regulation. Should any player cross the line and fail to return before the ball is snapped back it constitutes an offside play for which the rules provide a penalty. To again put the ball in play the center rusher places his hand upon it at the spot where down was called. The rushers then line up opposing one another the line of attack being drawn closely together for a greater concentration of energy while the defensive rushers are slightly spread apart to facilitate breaking through the line and stopping the advance when the ball shall be put in play. The captain upon the attacking side then shouts some signal understood only by his own men which indicates the evolution that he wishes his eleven to execute whereupon the center rusher puts the ball in play by snapping it back that is by rolling it back between his legs. Immediately behind the center rusher the quarterback has taken his stand he receives the ball as it is snapped back and instantly passes it to one of the halfbacks or a man in the line for a run or to the fullback for a kick down the field. Thereupon the first scrimmage of the game takes place as the opposing team attempts to break through the line and stop the play. One side is not allowed to retain indefinite possession of the ball without making gain or loss. The rules provide that if the side having possession of the ball should fail to make an aggregate gain of five yards or a loss of twenty yards and three consecutive scrimmages the ball shall be forfeited on the other side of the spot where it was lost down. Advances by running are made by the player directing his course through one of the six openings in the rush line or around the ends according as the signal may direct. The signal also indicates the player who is to receive the ball. The runner is assisted in his course by the players who border on the opening through which he is to go. These seek to enlarge the space by pushing their opponents to one side. He is further assisted by others by his own players, some of whom proceed to block off the opponents from tackling him in front while still others follow to push him further if he is checked. The players who are to proceed and the players who are to follow change with the play according as each man is enabled by his position to adjust himself to it. Four points are scored when one side carries the ball across the goal line and makes a touchdown. The side making the touchdown is then allowed to carry the ball out into the field and align perpendicular to the goal line and passing through the point where it was touched down in order that one of their number may attempt to kick it between the goal posts above the crossbar. The other side meanwhile are obliged to take their positions behind the goal line. Should the attempt be successful it will constitute a goal and two additional points be added to the score. But whether the attempt to be successful or not the ball must be delivered to the other side who will take it to the centre of the field and put it in play in the same manner as at the beginning of the game. If the ball can be kicked between the posts and above the crossbar by a drop kick or place kick by any one of the players without having been previously carried across the goal line it will constitute a goal from the field and will count five points. In case the ball is kicked or carried across the boundary line on either side it will be out of bounds and must be brought into the field at right angles to the line at the point where it crossed. This is done by the side which first secures it after it passes out of bounds. It is usual to bring the ball into the field from 10 to 15 yards and then to place it upon the ground for a scrimmage as from a regular down though the ball may be passed to any one of the players in at the point where it went out provided that it is thrown in at right angles to the sideline or it may be touched in at the same point. The game is divided into two halves of three quarters of an hour each and the team succeeding in scoring the greatest number of points during that time are declared the winners. The reader should thoroughly acquaint himself with the rules in detail before passing on to a study of the book. End of section one. Section two of a scientific and practical treatise on American football for schools and colleges by Henry L. Williams and almost Alonzo Stagg. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Section two training. In the early days of college athletics and amateur sports the popular belief was universally accepted that a most rigorous diet must be entered upon if the young aspirant for college honors would fit himself properly to represent his alma mater in the boat on the running track or in individual contests. Many an alumnus who polled in awe through in the 50s and 60s will recall visions of raw beef a limited bill of fare and a prescribed daily amount of water that made the training of 30 years ago a hardship for which dim dreams of possible glory seemed a doubtful compensation. These old ideas have now changed almost entirely and the young collegian of today who secures a position on any one of the college teams and obtains a seat at the training table is an object of envy rather than of compassion to his classmates. The training table diet of today is almost sumptuous and few men in college enjoy better living than the members of the university athletic organizations. Roast beef, lamb chops beef steak, roast lamb and broiled chicken, oatmeal rice, mush and the cereals, potatoes served in all styles but fried, bread, onions, garden vegetables in season, eggs, dry toast, applesauce, baked apples, prunes, grapes, oranges figs, dates and fruits in season with the exception of raw apples, rice and bread puddings, burnish and abundant variety from which to choose a few things only are put upon the prescribed list pies, cakes, salads all forms of pork veal, rich dressings fried food, ice cream confectionery, soda water so-called soft drinks and it is needless to say drinks of a stronger nature, tea, coffee and chocolate should be cheerfully and absolutely given up from the first day of training it should be rigidly enforced that all pipes, cigars and cigarettes be laid aside absolutely until the contests are over regularity in all the daily habits of life is of the greatest importance the hours for rising, for meals and for retiring should not vary from day to day and in so far as it is practicable to do so it would be advantageous to have the regular practice come at that portion of the day in which the important games of the season will take place that the football player should have long hours of restful sleep is a point too frequently overlooked while it is impossible to state a definite time that shall be applied to all cases asleep from ten o'clock in the evening until seven the next morning and a short walk before an early breakfast will be found to be of the greatest benefit in all instances probably a large proportion of the cases of overtraining that occur during the football season are caused by late hours a regularity of habits and insufficient rest had these points been carefully attended to the hard work upon the field would have produced no hurtful result when the recreation period of the players makes it necessary that the daily practice shall come immediately after the noon meal it will be found more helpful to have the practice hour preceded by a light lunch and postpone the hardy dinner until night but should the daily play come in the morning or in the middle of the afternoon it will be better to have the dinner hour at noon overtraining is something which is much easier to prevent than to remedy when once it is an accomplished fact in preparatory schools where a less violent and less tiring system of training is followed no thought need be given to this point but in the larger colleges one or more cases of overtraining among the valuable men is apt to occur toward the end of a season of hard work should any one of the players get into this condition he should be given an absolute rest and then be allowed to play only part of the time during each remaining day of practice an immediate change of diet with a removal of all training table restrictions will also be found of value when a faithful worker finds himself coming upon the field day after day with a worn and tired feeling no longer able to play with his former dash and energy and his speed gradually decreasing he shouldn't once suspect that he is becoming overtired and so fatigued that they cannot recuperate between one day's work and the next the practice of drinking water during the game is exceedingly bad and never should be permitted though rinsing the mouth is admissible the best result will be obtained if no water whatever is swallowed until more than an hour after the practice is over the habit which some players have of chewing gum during the game is pernicious after the first week or two has passed the mouth will be found to be far less dry where no gum is used than where a constant flow of saliva is kept up by the act of mastication during the season there undoubtedly will be a number of rainy days these by no means should be lost as a rule it is best to practice upon the field as usual since the most important game of the season may come in bad weather and the experience of having frequently played in the mud with a wet and slippery ball will prove invaluable on special occasions light work in the gymnasium tackling the bag and practicing the signals indoors may be substituted with advantage every team should be provided with a tackling bag this may be made of leather or canvas and should be from 4 to 5 feet long a foot in diameter and stuffed with hay, hair or excelsior to represent the body of a man no better practice can be had for low hard tackling than to have such a bag suspended by a long rope from a rafter in the gymnasium over a number of floor mats letting the men run half the length of the floor and spring for it from some 10 feet away as it swings slowly backward and forward but except on such special occasions when no outdoor practice is taken for the day indoor gymnasium work should be given up as the exercise upon the field demands every energy during the last few weeks of the season when the final 11 has practically been decided upon and team play is being developed an opportunity should be found each day to send the 11 up and down the field in their regular positions upon short runs of from 5 to 15 yards with no opposing rush line drawn up against them in order that the signals may be thoroughly drilled each player in substitute and all learn to work together as one man it is of the highest importance to have a number of substitutes each of whom is thoroughly acquainted with the signals as the replacing of a player in case of accident by one in the slightest degree unfamiliar with the signals will destroy the team play and cause the side a loss much greater than the value of the man who has left the field the number of regular games a week can play to advantage cannot be definitely stated the condition of the man and their special needs must determine this as a rule more than two match games a week cannot be played if the best results are to be obtained a hard game should not be played within less than a week before one is considered to be of great importance if it can be avoided on account of the danger of having a valuable man disabled and in order that there may be an abundance of short up energy upon the day of the important contest during the last few days before the final game the practice should be short but sharp all at last with a considerable amount of time devoted to practicing the signals falling upon the ball and perfecting team play on the day immediately proceeding the game in absolute rest should be taken it is a mistake to attempt to play the full hour and a half on each day of practice the season about two half hours of sharp work with the rest of five minutes between will produce the best results and in the earlier regular games each half should be limited to 30 minutes the daily practice of the team upon the field will not afford sufficient opportunity to the backs to become proficient in kicking and catching the ball when it is possible a half hour should be devoted by them at some other portion of each day throughout the entire season to punting catching and goal kicking numerous minor sprains and bruises will necessarily be received during the season for which hot water and flannel bandages will be the best remedy in case of a sprained ankle or a serious bruise to one of the muscles of the leg a long period of disability may result from continued playing and the captain should insist that a player so hurt should leave the field at once a thin leather ankle it had better be worn inside the shoe by each player in the team as a safeguard and protection when a man has a bruised and sensitive knee a moistened sponge the size of a fist placed just under the kneecap will afford relief and protection sprains and bruises of a serious nature are more liable to occur during the first few weeks of practice than at any other time in the season this is due to the fact that many of the men have just returned from long vacations of ease and idleness and their muscles are not ready to endure the sudden strains and wrenches to which they immediately find themselves subjected the careful captain will see to it that the promising new candidates for his team and the old men are all gathered together from one to two weeks before the season of actual playing is to begin and put through a series of light exercises given short runs made to pass kick and fall on the ball and are given such general light work for wind and muscle as shall enable them to engage in the regular practice without danger thick sweaters and overcoats should always be in readiness to put on after playing and proper care taken to guard against catching cold cleanliness is a hygienic necessity during the football season and every team should, if possible have hot and cold water shower baths connected with their dressing rooms long hot baths are weakening and should be avoided though upon special occasions when a cold has settled in the muscles a Turkish bath may prove of great value the captain's word upon the field is absolute law and should be followed with unquestioning obedience end of section 2 section 3 of a scientific and practical treatise on American football for schools and colleges by Henry L. Williams and almost Alonzo Stag this LibriVox recording is in the public domain section 3 the center rusher the prevailing idea in time past has been that the largest and heaviest man who could be procured should be used for the center rusher or snapback of the 11 so universal has this idea become that it has long been a common joke to say of an especially large and stout person he would make a good center rusher every new team formed as a rule selects the center according to this axiomatic fallacy it is easy to see how this principle of selection became established under the old pushing style of game and it still should hold sway provided it brings with the selection certain qualities of mind and certain physical capacities which will enable the center to be one of the most active and effective agents on the field the center occupies a unique position on the 11 in that he starts the play after each down and is the only member of the team who cannot run with the ball from a scrimmage because it is impossible to make him a third man advantageously his work therefore is limited in that particular by reason also of his having to protect the quarterback after he snaps the ball and because he is invariably entangled with the opponents it is impossible for him to be a reliable running interferer what work in interference he is able to do is limited to blocking the opponents from breaking through the line or running behind their own line to head off the runner with the ball at one side possibly when very clever and swift he may be able to cut across the field to interfere with the half back or the full back the center should make a practice of doing this latter work on every play around the end and on every play and perhaps he may not be able to get ahead of the runner but he will be a valuable assistant by checking some of the opponents from running behind their line and tackling him now and then also he will be able to get ahead of the runner and go down the field with him from these statements it might appear that it did not matter especially whether the center rusher was a slow runner or not and that emphasis should be laid on his possessing right which are understood as necessary to the proper feeling of that position the truth is that while a slow runner if he has cleverness for that position and is strong and weighty will be able to do fairly well as a center he cannot begin to be as serviceable to his team as if he were also a fast runner granting that a fast runner will not be able to do much interfering or running with the ball he will still be able to use his speed most hopefully in breaking through the line to tackle and crossing over to one side to head off a runner or in going down the field on a kick furthermore his speed will be most helpful in playing a quick game because he is thus able to follow the ball so closely that there will be no delay in putting it in play this is a most important point in the center's play he must be on hand to receive the ball the instant it is down it is impossible to play a quick game with the center lags or to prevent one on the part of the opponents when there are not many large men who are fast runners it is better perhaps to place the speedy man in the position of guard and take a slower man for center the ideal center will be one who is swift afoot in addition to his other powers he should be a large man not a less he is quick and strong he should be especially strong in his legs and back for he must stand steadily on his feet against the continuous pushing and wrestling which he receives directly from the opponents and incidentally from the guards on either side of him if he is easily moved or toppled over he will be likely now and then to snap the ball poorly thus making the quarterback uneasy and flurried in handling it is a most necessary part of the center's work and it cannot well be overlooked in the selection of a man to fill that position further as in every position on the 11 endurance is a prime so it is in this more of it is needed however than in most others because the work is much harder no short winded fat man can long stand the hard work of that position if he does his duty not only is great physical labor tired of the center but he must also be constantly subjected to knocks and bruises from the plunging and tearing of the rushes and half backs as they try to break through the line no man therefore can play in this position who is not physically courageous and who is not able to rise to his work after each assault with new grit and determination he should be a man who is cool and collected at all times combative but never losing control of his temper one who endures worrying without being rattled by it one who never gives up and is bound to conquer nowhere in the line is there need for such steadiness as in the center from him every play starts in a scrimmage and a little unsteadiness on his part will be likely to make havoc with the quarterbacks work and hence with the offensive play of the whole team nothing can be more fatal to quick and steady play for it is sure to produce hesitancy in action in some of the players with hurried action in others in assuming his position for a scrimmage the center may follow either of two methods of standing when snapping the ball one where one foot is placed back for a brace the ball being snapped between the legs and a little to one side the other where both feet are widely spread to interfere with opponents as they attempt to break through and to avoid getting into the way of the ball which can be snapped straight back where the first position is followed the center should be able to work equally well with either foot forward in order to secure certain advantages in handling his opponent the center rusher should make a study of the best way of snapping the ball back and then hold it the same way every time he should confer with the quarterback on this point as the latter is to handle the ball and it may be easier to take it when snapped in a particular are two methods followed in snapping the ball one in which the ball is held on the small end and sent back swiftly with little effort in such a way that the quarterback catches it in the air all ready to pass the other where the ball is laid on its side and rolled along the ground to the point where it is stopped by the quarterback and then picked up in a very good position for passing this latter method is more generally used because it does not require a delicate work on the part of the center in giving the snap but speed is sacrificed by it and there is greater liability that the ball shall be deflected from its course by touching the legs it would be well for the center to learn to use either hand in snapping for it will often prove an advantage the center rusher will do well to make a study of snapping the ball by both methods of standing and by both ways of holding it until he settles on the one best suited to him it can be used against an opponent until he is able to stand firmly on his feet and send the ball back accurately at a uniform rate of speed each time in case the ball is placed on end it is better to have it lean toward the opposing center at an angle of about 60 degrees it can be held more firmly in this position and can also be sent back more swiftly with a bound into the air care must be taken not to send the ball too swiftly while the center is practicing to secure steadiness, accuracy and uniformity in snapping the ball he should likewise practice getting his opponent out of the way in putting the ball in play the center has the advantage of being able to select the time to snap and he can choose it to meet his own purpose besides he knows the exact instant when he intends to send the ball back and can get the start of his opponent the center therefore is master of the situation when he has the ball it is for these reasons that he can frequently be down the field on a kick as soon as the ends and yet not expose the fall back to great danger in having the ball stopped there are various ways for the center to handle his man and get him out of the way he may plunge forward at the instant he snaps the ball carrying his opponent before him he may lift him to one side or the other according to the play he called for and the position of the opponent he may fall on him if he is down too low or he may get under him and lift him in the air if his opponent reaches over him in any one of these methods the opportune moment must be seized like a flash and the action be quick and powerful a slow strong movement will never succeed long and faithful practice is necessary before the center can acquire this quickness and power it is eagerness to take advantage of his opponent he must never fail to wait for the quarterback's signal before snapping the ball a little forgetfulness on this point might prove disastrous the center can be a most valuable man in defensive play if he understands his position by giving his opponents a quick pull forward or to one side at the instant the latter snaps the ball by lifting him suddenly backward or by grasping his arm he breaks through more quickly than either guard or tackle whenever he succeeds in getting through he will be a strong obstacle to all dashes between himself and the guards and he will sometimes be able to interfere with the quarterback's pass another way in which the center may play on the defense is to spend all his energy for a moment in getting his opponent out of the way and then spring at the runner in this case the center must throw off his opponent quickly and not allow himself to be carried backward at the same time he must not attempt to break through the line when the play is around the end or even at the tackle the center should move quickly from his position and pass around behind his own line to meet and tackle the runner when the opposite side is about to kick the center should do his at most to break through the line and stop it but sometimes it may be better instead to make an opening for the quarterback he is helped in doing this by the opposite center himself as he plunges forward to block him in such a case a good opening can be made for the quarterback if the center will place himself in front of his opponent a little to one side and then pull the ladder forward to the right or left the guard at the side on which the opening is made should know of this plan so that he may not spoil it either by pushing his opponent in the path in the way himself if there is danger of his doing this it will be better for him to help enlarge the opening for the quarterback on the defensive the center may play a little to one side or the other of his opponent or directly in front to suit the situation it is most unwise for the center to assume the same position every time for by so doing he gives the opposite center only one problem to work out and that one probably the same time where the center takes an extreme side position unless he does it just before the ball is snapped he gives the captain of the other eleven a fine chance to call for a play which will take advantage of the situation there is abundant opportunity for the display of head work and outwitting the opposing center in breaking through the line the line is so compact at this point that it is not an easy task to slip by especially as the opposing center is watching to take his man at a disadvantage various methods are resorted to in breaking through the line sometimes the center acting on the defense is thrown head foremost to the ground by a quick hard pull the attacking center stepping aside or over him as he falls he may also be turned sideways just enough to slip past him or he may be lifted back perhaps into the face of the runner the most common method employed by the center and getting through is to catch the arm of the opponent on the side on which it is desired to go through give it a jerk and dash into the opening the center in defense must insist on the ball being down where it belongs some center rushers have a way of moving the ball forward several inches further than it should be there is no occasion for generosity under such circumstances and the center must feel that it is his duty to stand up for the rights of his team by constantly fighting against any infringement of this kind on the other hand a constant bickering over an inch or two of ground may be made of such importance that the game is interfered with and delayed to such an extent that a much greater gain would have resulted where the ball put in play the instant the signal called for it a good referee will see to it that the ball is snapped each time from the proper spot it is always the duty of the center rusher to keep close to the opponent brings the ball in from the sideline in order to protect the rights of his team likewise it is well to paste in the opponent who brings the ball to the 25 yard line in order to prevent a quick play being made when his own side are not in position the guards assist him in this end of section 3 section 4 of a scientific and practical treatise on American football for schools and colleges by Henry L Williams and almost Alonzo stag this LibriVox recording is in the public domain section 4 the guard the main work of the guards may be summed up as blocking that is guarding making openings for the passage of the runner whenever certain signals are given running behind the line to interfere for the man with the ball running with the ball occasionally breaking through the opposing line to interfere with the quarterback in passing the ball and tackling the runner or stopping a kick the guards in the center have the most laborious work on the 11 if they do their duty for they practically have no respite from hard work they must bear the brunt of the heavy plunging of their opponents through the center and at the same time struggle to break through the opposing line which is doing its utmost to prevent them they must do this without a let up because the other side has the ball and moreover in that part of the line which is most compact then when their own side has the ball they are expected to use their strength and wits from the moment the ball is put in play until it is again down in blocking making openings and interfering for the player who is attempting to run further they have little time to catch their wind for almost the first point which should be drummed into them by the captain or coach is to be always on hand the moment the ball is down to make or prevent a quick play it can be truly said that no team is well trained until the center part of the 11 as indeed the whole team is prompt on this point while the guards have all this hard work they seldom have a chance to distinguish themselves either by a run a clean tackle or a fine interference which is apparent to the untrained eye of the spectator hand it does not take much yielding at the center to bring forth the criticism that that part of the line is weak on account of the nature of their work the guards should be large and powerful like the center it is even more necessary that they should be quick agile and swift than the center because the guards should always go through the line when the opponents have the ball on their success in doing this largely depends the strength or weakness of the team's defense the chief point in defensive play is to tackle the runner before he reaches the line and the guards are large factors in doing this unless this is done the ball can be steadily carried down the field when not lost by a fumble for any team is able to gain five yards and three consecutive trials when the runner is allowed to reach the line each time before being tackled any means therefore which the guards can employ to interfere with the quarterback before he has passed the ball or the runner before he has reached the line should certainly be used all the strategy and tricks known in wrestling which can be applied to the situation should be eagerly sought and practiced the great point to remember is to apply the power quickly and hard to summon all the strength for the initial effort and to work desperately until free from interference only by doing this can the guards hope to break through and secure the quarterback or runner behind the line slow pushing however powerful will accomplish little if held in check until the runner and the pusher strike the line it is only a question of how many yards the runner will gain before the mass breaks and falls forward in applying his power the guard as well as his companion rushers has an immense advantage in being permitted to use his hands and arms freely in getting his opponent out of the way this enables him to put into practice all the skill he possesses in handling an opponent who is allowed to block only with the body the guard also has another advantage in being free to move whenever he pleases but he must remember that the opening for the runner may be made on either side of him and be careful not to give his opponent help in making it it assists the guard greatly in breaking through if the tackle draws out the opposing line as much as his wise in a good defense this separation should be wide enough to allow the players in defense to break through easily without interfering with each other it is also usually helpful in breaking through to be restless but cautious at the same time in order not to give the opponent an advantage the guards in the tackles especially should watch for signs which shall indicate what the play will be and as low as possible for a tackle they should break through to the right or left of their opponents as seems best at the moment in order to break through quickly they must have their eyes on the ball when it is snapped and spring forward the instant it is put in play quick glances may be cast at the opponent while still constantly watching the ball the guards with the center are usually called upon to meet the heavy charges in the opening of the field these as a rule come in the form of wedges two points should be carefully regarded by the center men in attacking a wedge first to approach the wedge with the body bent in a position for greatest power and for meeting the wedge low down second to focus on the mass in such a way that it cannot break through between them without being separated and so giving the guards a chance to tackle the runner in doing this it should be the aim to focus as nearly as possible upon the point of the wedge in order to check its advance and throw the forwards back on the runner the runner will then be forced to come out if he has not already become entangled in the mass in making the attack the guards and center should run with dash and determination at the same time watching closely for the runner and trying hard to tackle him two successful ways of attacking a wedge have been originated one member of the center trio will sometimes jump over the heads of the forwards and try to fall on the runner and thus secure him or he will hurl himself headlong at the feet of the oncoming wedge and cause it to trip over him to make either one of these attacks well the player must be perfectly fearless and should also use good judgment in the former case the player must climb his jump and not land short of the runner or he will be pushed quickly to the ground or carried along on the heads of the forwards neither must he jump so far over that he will miss his man if he throws himself in front of the wedge he should not do it too soon lest the wedge will be able to avoid or step over him when a wedge is formed in the line on a scrimmage the guards and center must be sure to get low and will be carried along before it the point of the wedge must be held in check in resisting the attack of a revolving wedge the guard should separate slightly from the center and join with a tackle and trying to penetrate the mass to secure the runner this should be done in such a way that the defense shall not be weakened care should also be taken by the side of the line away from which the wedge revolves not to add impetus to it by pushing too far the position of the guard varies slightly in defense and offense in offense the first thought must be to protect the quarterback until he has passed the ball his next to block his man long enough to prevent him from reaching the runner his third thought which may also influence the way he stands while he attends to the former work is to make the opening if the play is in his quarter his fourth thought which will be influenced by his first and second is to get in his interference ahead of the runner when practicable or follow him as closely as possible and do what he can to assist in fulfilling all these duties he will be limited in his freedom of movement he cannot stand too far from the center rusher and he may be compelled to stand shoulder to shoulder with him furthermore he will have to assume a position which best enables him to carry out his duties it may be well for him to stand with both feet on a line or it may be better to have one or the other foot behind according to his purpose it is nearly always better for him to bend forward or even to get down very low if his opponent tries to get under him the bent over position is better for meeting attacks because the weight is well forward and low down and the body is better braced and not so much exposed to effective blocking in this position also one can move forward better for making an opening in blocking the leg should usually be spread widely apart they should not be spread so much however that the guard will not be able to move quickly whenever his opponent shifts his position in blocking as in breaking through the line the guard should try hard to get his power into action before his opponent the general position of the guard must be determined by the play in hand and the way the opponent stands he may be forced to move out a little because his opponent does so but he must be careful that the opening between him and the center is not occupied by the quarterback or some other free player in which case the tackle will sometimes be obliged to step in and take the opposing guard neither the guard nor any other rusher except the center should ever take a fixed position in standing on the defensive much depends on strong blocking by the guards for weak blocking is fatal at the center of the line the quarterback being so near to the guards is an imminent danger in case of weak blocking and he can little afford the loss of a fraction of a second in handling the ball much less a fumble under these circumstances if a fumble occurs the quarterback must always fall on the ball and not run any risks of losing it furthermore in weak blocking the runner has little chance on a dash into the line for in place of an opening he finds an opponent block hard has come to be one of the axioms of the game blocking for a kick is treated fully in the chapter on team play the guard has an advantage over the center in making an opening for the runner and only one particular he is freer to move in his position the center rusher is largely dependent on the position which his opponent takes in standing to help him out in this matter since he cannot move his relative position from the opposing center more than the latter allows but he can often influence that position to suit his own purpose by clever general strategy he may be able to induce his opponent to do the very thing he needs to help him out in his play some of the ways of handling an opponent are given in the description of the duties of the center rusher when the guard is going to run with the ball he should take a position which will enable him to get away from his opponent quickly but he should not make his intentions evident for this reason it is better for the guard as well as for the tackle not to take a set position until the signal is given but if one is taken let it be such that it would not make it necessary to change in order to run with the ball the one who is to run with the ball should seek in every way to conceal the purpose of the play the guard is in the most difficult position from which to get under headway in order to run with the ball as commonly played the guard swings round the quarterback and dives into an opening between the tackle and guard on the other side of the center the very beginning of his run he cannot run fast from his position for he has only a step or two to make before he must turn sharply around the quarterback and run in almost an opposite direction if he runs back too far he will be tackled before he reaches the line and if he turns in closely he is likely to run against his own men as they are struggling with their opponents it needs therefore careful judgment and a great deal of practice to be able to run from this position long legged guards as a rule find it easier to take a long step backward with the foot next to the center and use that as a purchase from which to circle around the quarterback some guards prefer to take three or four short quick steps in making the turn around the quarterback anyway which will enable the guard to get under headway most quickly is the method which should be used it will be easy for the quarterback to place the ball in the guard's hands and it will probably be better for him to carry it under the arm away from the center when the guard runs around to interfere he should place himself so that he can get away quickly and not give the play away if the guard is to run around in order to interfere by getting ahead of the runners the quickest possible start is necessary there must be no delay whatever even when the guard is a fast runner or else the runner with the ball will have to slow up so much that he cannot make the play whenever the guard runs around to interfere or to run with the ball the tackle should keep the opposing guard from following him the guard can sometimes do this himself by pushing his opponent back just as he starts but it must be done in such a way that it will not delay him end of section four section five of a scientific and practical treatise on American football for schools and colleges by Henry L. Williams and almost Alonzo Stagg this LibriVox recording is in the public domain section five the tackle the tackle occupies the most important position on the rush line it is possible to get along with the lumbering center and slow guards if they are able to block well and make good openings but it is not possible to have slow tackles and play good football at the same time the position which the tackle occupies in the line explains this and it is best appreciated when it is understood that the tackle should take part in more than half the defensive work of the team the tackle occupies the most responsible position because he assists in checking two distinctly different styles of play on the side toward the center he is to help the garden blocking the heavy plunges which are frequently aimed at that point of the line while on the other side he has to work with the end rusher against all plays between them and on all plays around the end to play this position properly on the defensive therefore requires a master mind and an equipment of physical capacity and skill unequaled by any position on the eleven next to the half back the tackle from his position in the line has the best opportunity for running with the ball in fact he can be used with telling effect if a good runner in supplementing and resting the half backs again he is the end rusher's chief assistant in going down the field on all kicks and he must be under the ball almost as soon as the end himself in order to prevent the catcher from dodging inside the end men the points mentioned are sufficient to show that the tackle should be a man of considerable weight because he has to bear a great deal of the heavy plunging into the line the greater the weight the better of course that the other requirements are met as a rule it is rare that a man weighing over one hundred and eighty pounds can meet these requirements and it is more often that men weighing one hundred and sixty five or seventy pounds are selected for this position on the best teams the general build of the man also qualifies his usefulness the one hundred and sixty five pounds will be much more effective in a man from five feet six to five feet ten inches in height than in one above that height in truth the man of stocky build can usually fill this position much better because his weight is nearer the ground and he is always in a position to make a low tackle as a great deal of his tackling should be dashing and brilliant right in the midst of interference where he must throw himself instantly a tall man would be at a disadvantage a thick set round bodied man with large arms and legs would also be a much harder man to stop when running with the ball of equal importance with weight the points which should determine the selection of the tackle are agility speed and the ability to tackle in the face of interference the name of the position indicates the work of the player he is to tackle even speed can to a small degree be dispensed with if the man is quick and agile and is a sure tackler quickness and getting through the line agility in the voiding interference sure tackling getting down the field on a kick and running with the ball are essential qualifications to look for in selecting a man to fill the position of tackle the tackle must be endowed with more than the ordinary amount of shrewdness and judgment to a certain extent this can be acquired by long practice but the tackle must be of quick perception and good judgment naturally in order to play the position in the best manner when acting on the defensive the distance which he should stand from the guard and the manner of going through the line either to the inside or outside of his opponent should be determined by previous judgment as to where the play is to be made and influenced by an instantaneous perception as the play starts the position to must be taken with the utmost caution and selected at just the right distance from the guard to best meet the play and still be able to defend his position on either side there is need the closest and quickest observation and cleverest judgment moreover as many of the plays cannot be determined beforehand such a position must be taken as will best enable the tackle to check any play which can be made he must then be on the alert for the very first indications of the play and act on them and at the same time he must still keep the closest watch for later developments which change the direction in which the ball will finally be carried playing up close to the guard is always dangerous unless it is necessary to do so in order to stop a wedge play for the tackle could then be blocked in very easily from helping if an attack were made on the space between himself and the end man or in a play around the end he therefore would cut himself off from defending two thirds of his territory and the most defenseless part of the line playing far away from the guard is also dangerous for he then gives the part of his territory which is nearest the opposing half backs too much exposed and it gives his opponent a chance to block him off from defending it of course if the tackle were free from the checking of an opponent he could play some distance away from the guard and still defend the space between them but the fact that there is a player opposite who is giving all his attention, wit and energy to securing an advantage over him gives a turn to the problem which he cannot ignore in making his calculations the tackle takes a certain position the opponent takes one also it may be a little to the right or a little to the left of him or it may be directly in front of him the tackle may change his position a little and then the opponent perhaps changes but their relative positions may or may not be changed or possibly his opponent may remain in the same place just this action or an action on the part of the opposing tackle is sufficient to help him determine how he should play in his defense and is one of the signs to be considered in deciding upon his own position in action the tackle should usually play right up to the line on the defense sometimes with a very quick opponent it may be better to play a little back from the line he should be restless and on the alert for an opportunity to go through on the side of his opponent covering the best advantage he should watch the ball closely and spring the instant it is snapped his course of action and reference to his opponent must be to get him out of the way as quickly as possible it may often be best for the tackle simply to drive his opponent back with hard quick pushes this might frequently be best when the play is between him and the guard because the time for preparation to tackle is exceedingly short before the runner will be going past and the whole attention must be given to securing a momentary freedom from interference for a quick spring the tackle has a great deal of this quick tackling to do because the runs are so frequently made in his region much of this also must be done right in the midst of interference when the only chance to get the runner is by hurling himself headlong at him as he passes on end plays the tackle must break from his opponent as quickly as possible he will have no time then to carry his man before him except perhaps for an instant as he pushes him back to get by him yet he must make sure to knock his opponent sufficiently off his balance to prevent his following him and giving him a shove at a critical moment in defense on an end play everything depends on the tackle reaching the runner before he begins to turn in order to circle and before he has swung in closely behind his interference the runner then has not yet gotten under full speed and the interferers are somewhat scattered and looking toward the end the tackle has the best chance for defeating and runs in this he is ably seconded by the end man the two working together in fine team play the tackle must go through the line on the defense the plan of waiting until it is seen will be made and then running behind his line to help if the play appears to be on the other side is disastrous to a good defensive game it not only is dangerous because it leaves the way clear for a splendid run on a double pass but it is also especially harmful because it gets the tackle into the habit of waiting for every play to become well started and this is fatal to a strong defense if the play is around the other end the tackle should follow the runner around and try to overtake him it is sometimes possible for a fast runner to do this when he breaks through quickly in following the man with the ball the tackle must be on the watch constantly for a double pass if he suspects one is to be made he must be sure not to be drawn in or blocked as he runs behind the line it would be better in that case to go straight through the tackle more to defeat a double pass than any other player for if he plays his position well he will meet the runner when there is not more than one interferer to combat if he then does not tackle the runner he can force him to run so far back of the line that the rest of the team will be able to come to his assistance before he circles the end when the opponents are going to kick the tackle has in a special burden resting on him because he is in a very advantageous position for breaking through quickly and stopping the ball no other rusher should reach the full back so quickly unless perhaps the guard because none other is so well placed and at the same time interfered with so little he should therefore go through with all his strength and speed and jump high in the air to stop the ball his hand should be raised at the same time in order to place as high obstacle in the way of the ball as is possible the tackle on the same side as the kicking foot has a better chance to stop the ball than his companion on the other side and he must therefore put forth his utmost efforts frequently the tackle like the guards in center can work some clever team play in conjunction with an extra man whereby one or the other can go through the line with little opposition there are a variety of tactics which can be employed in getting through the line and every tackle should be able to use them at will those are best which enable the tackle to get through quickly and at the same time permit him to watch the runner closely this is a point which ought to be deeply impressed on the minds of all the rushers the situation changes so quickly when a run is being made that it is not safe to have the eyes off the runner for a second the methods usually employed in breaking through the line are striking the opponent in the chest quickly and hard and following it up with a shove to one side when he is off his balance whirling suddenly around him using either foot as a pivot ducking quickly to one side making a faint to go one side and going the other striking the opponent with the head or shoulder and lifting him aside stepping a little to one side as the opponent comes forward and swinging him through behind him the tackle can sometimes secure an advantage for breaking through by pushing his opponent back from the line just before the ball is snapped he must be very free to move and go through with a jump it is better to keep as low down as possible in doing this the position which the tackle should take on the defense against mass plays from the center of the field is shown in the diagrams further on he should move off from the guard sufficiently to protect the side of the field and at the same time be able to spring back close to him when he plays directly forward it is his special duty to tackle the runner if he comes out at the side of the formation in case the runner does not come out before the opposing rushers meet the tackle should dive in and secure him if possible but in doing this he must be careful not to leave too great a space between himself and the guard as an opening through which to send the runner may be intended at that very point it is impossible to lay down rules of action for the tackle on wedge plays in the line he must work according to his best judgment based on the situation but an important factor and successful play will be to put in the workflow down if he is caught by the wedge in an upright or nearly upright position he will be rendered absolutely useless for this reason it is often best to dive in at the side of the wedge about knee high and try to tackle the runner or cause him to fall over him if the wedge is revolving it is often best for the tackle to fall down in front of it the tackle must consider it his first duty to assist the center and guards in checking the wedge and leave the other players to attend to the runner if he comes out from behind or at the side on the offense the tackle cannot leave any unprotected space between himself and the guard if it be occupied by an opponent he must therefore always take the inside man this may require him to play close to the guard from this position he must do all his running with the ball all his blocking all his interference for the runners and make all his openings varying his attitude towards his opponent to meet the special need of the moment in making his opening the tackle has to outwit and combat a very free opponent one who as a rule is constantly changing his position this renders it difficult sometimes to make an opening because frequently it has to be done while the opponent is changing his position and when, perhaps the tackle himself is not in a favorable position for making that particular opening likewise when trying to block his opponent the tackle must follow him closely and keep in front of him and must be all on tiptoe to dart forward to get in a body check before the opponent acts when the tackle runs with the ball or moves away from his position to accompany the runner he is much more at liberty in choosing his place in the line his great aim should be to take a position which should not be noticeable by its strong contrast to previous ones and yet at the same time be one which he can use to the greatest advantage in the play at hand usually that position should be up in the line not more than two or three feet from the guard but sometimes it is better to stand a little behind the line it is most important to the tackle when he runs with the ball that he get away from his opponent with the utmost quickness and then that he run with tremendous speed and power the secret of successful running from any position lies in this the practice given to improving in this particular should be faithful and constant the run of the tackle cannot be successful to the quick start and strong headway such training in taking his course that he will neither run too near the line nor too far back from it and the ability to circle around the quarterback and take the ball from him without a diminution and speed and then plunge into his opening with a force which cannot be stopped short of several yards much depends on the course taken the tackle's failure and running often results from slowing up to turn into the right opening and thus losing his power instructions and running and holding the ball are given in the chapter on the halfback and fullback end of section 5 section 6 of a scientific and practical treatise on American football for schools and colleges by Henry L. Williams and almost Alonzo Stag this LibriVox recording is in the public domain section 6 the end rusher the end rusher is filled two of the most important positions on the 11 in defense there a special duty is to prevent the long runs of the game it is an unusual thing for a long run to be made through the centre part of the line on account of the support given the rushers by the quarterback and halfbacks let a runner once get around the end with one or two interferers ahead of him as is usually the case when such runs are made and he is likely to go a long distance down the field and not infrequently make a touchdown in defending his territory against these runs the end stands at the most remote part of the field for assistance to be rendered him he is at the extreme part of the rush line and has no one close to him to help him his nearest neighbour the tackle must be depended on for most of the assistance and when he cannot render it the end is put to the test of tackling a runner preceded by a group of interferers in such an emergency a deep responsibility rests upon the end rusher because he is probably the last man left to prevent a long run and perhaps a touchdown producing a sensation akin to that of the fullback when he alone stands between the runner and the goal moreover the end rusher has to meet the runner under most trying circumstances the runner and the interferers have gotten well underway they have passed the most dangerous spot in the line and are coming on at great speed the interference is now more focused and effective in arrangement than it has yet been there are more interferers and they are more closely bunched at the same time the end well knows that he is in a special mark on all sides he realizes that a particular man is appointed to do his utmost to check his play and that if this man fails to do it the work is to be attended to by the other interferers who come immediately after under these difficulties in tackling and maneuvering it is not strange that every captain is most careful in the selection and training of his end men the kind of man who could play a brilliant game at end might not perhaps be able to fill any position in the rush line yet this is not necessarily true his qualification would be questionable only as regards build and wait there are most brilliant end players who only weigh about one hundred and fifty pounds and sometimes a little less the tendency now is toward selecting slightly heavier players for that position in order to gain more weight with which to meet the tremendous on rush of the interferers but it is not infrequent that's the light agile cat like men are much more likely to tackle the runner and so are selected and preference to those possessing plenty of weight but less skill the tackling of these light quick men is necessarily most brilliant because they do not bore their way through to the runner but sees a momentary opening to put in their telling work such a man as has been said could not play in any other position in the rush line for he would not be heavy enough to stand the hard pushing and plunging to which for example the tackle is subjected with the exception of meeting the end plays in place between the end and tackle the end rusher does not have the hard wearing work of the other rushers not that he does not have plenty of work to do but he is not constantly combating an opponent and struggling with might and main to get through the line thus being subjected to the little knocks and bruises which the other rushers have to endure the end rusher is at liberty to take any position he chooses on the offense his one thought however should be to take that position from which he can best operate in helping out the play many and rushers fail to do this some ends play up in the line and follow their opponents wherever they move no matter how far out they go others take a stand a little back of the line about a yard or two from the tackle shifting this now and then as the play suggests and admits this latter is generally the best position which can be taken for helping in the interference and it is also a better position from which to start if the end rusher is to run with the ball himself whenever the end rusher is going to take the ball he should carelessly assume a position a little nearer the quarterback perhaps almost behind the tackle otherwise the distance which he would be obliged to run before he reached his opening would be so great that the opponents would have enough time in which to intercept the play on this play the quarterback should give the ball to him by a short pass and then run ahead to interfere if the end rusher plays up in the line he should always take the inside man when acting on the offensive this is a point frequently forgotten and oftentimes is the reason why end runs are stopped before the runner reaches the end the end rusher should also remember to help the tackle whenever the latter takes the ball in this case it may be necessary for the end rusher to step in and block the opposing tackle but if the tackle can break away from his opponent without assistance it is better that the end should follow the tackle right around when the tackle is to go into the line the end can do no better than to place his hands on his hips and steer him into the opening if the end rusher does this well he can be of great assistance to the tackle in running and at the same time prevent him from being caught from the rear the best way to play the end position and making the different evolutions as shown in the chapter containing diagrams on kicks and detach the end rusher must cover the ball well and secure at the instant the full back puts him on side whenever an opponent secures it the end rusher on that side must be on the watch to prevent his quickly putting it in play at the point it crossed the line he should also be on the watch for all sideline tricks the other end man should return quickly to his position to guard his field against the throw in from the side or any quick play the end rushers must be sure to keep their eyes on any outlying men who might receive the ball on a pass be the first man down the field on a kick is the motto early instilled in the would be end rusher and to do that and be there in time to tackle the catcher before he starts as no small accomplishment it means that with a good punter who has perhaps the wind behind him to propel the ball the end must be exceedingly quick and starting and very swift afoot if the end fails to get down the field in time the ball will be carried or kicked back whereas a swift runner might be able to prevent this moreover the full back ought not to be compelled to limit his kick because of the slowness of the end rusher it requires long practice and much careful study to determine just the direction the ball has taken almost at the moment it is kicked without wasting time in turning around or in looking over the head into the air likewise it requires practice to decide upon the best way of approaching the man to whom the ball is kicked it is a common false for end rushers to run blindly down the field without knowing the exact direction which the ball has taken when a little study of the faces and actions of the half backs will indicate in a second whether the ball is going another common fault with the end rusher is the failure to tackle the man who gets the ball this results largely from overrunning him the player with the ball simply jumps to one side at the proper moment and lets the end go by in his head long run and then goes down the field the one remedy is that he should slack and speed a little as he approaches and watch for a chance to tackle care should be taken by the end rusher as he runs down the field watch the player who has received the ball so that he will be forced to run on the inside of him then in case the end misses his tackle he will fall into the hands of the other rushers now near at hand the position of the end rusher when a kick is about to be made should be such that he can protect the field usually he draws off well from the tackle this must be done without fail when he has a large field to guard that is when the other end of the line is near the side of the field the general form of the rush line as it advances when a kick is to be made is described in the chapter on team play it may be said further that usually the end rusher should start his line of direction slightly towards the sidelines until he gets the first inkling of the direction the ball has taken he should then bear in or out still farther according as seems best this would not be good advice to the end rusher who stands close to the sideline the reason for the end taking such a start is that he should protect the whole field against a run and the least protected part should be attended to first this suggestion has a special weight when there is a great deal of space between the end rusher and the sideline the end rusher must be especially watchful at the start for signs of a short kick or for one which goes to the side sometimes these are caused by inaccurate kicking or by the partial stopping of the ball by an opposing rusher in the event he must be careful not to overrun the ball and must secure it whenever an opponent puts him on side by touching the ball if the end is in doubt where the ball is he should glance around quickly and find out the end rusher must be especially careful when the ball is kicked from near the side of the field for it often happens that only one end can be near the opponent when he catches the end rusher should be under the ball when it falls and if the opponent is a good catcher they usually force him to make a fair catch if however the end rusher is where he is absolutely sure of securing the catcher if he should run it may sometimes be better for him to give the opponent a slight chance to run for the sake of increasing his liability to drop the ball this liability is further increased by a hard tackle just at the moment the catcher starts the end should be on the watch to secure the ball at such times he should also make sure that the catcher falls to a companion near at hand there are many conditions to be met by the end as he goes down the field on a kick which cannot be described he must note them as they come and act accordingly one of the hardest of these is to know how to handle bounding and rolling balls observing the angle at which the ball descends also the way it acts for two or three bounds after it strikes will give some information on which to base action but there is a constant uncertainty and in those cases where the ball is revolving on an axis constantly shifting as it goes through the air there is no certainty of its action after it strikes the ground it therefore takes the most careful playing at such times on the part of the end rusher for one of the opponents may dart an opportunity and sees the ball and goes printing up the field if there is any chance for this and he is not well supported with helpers the end rusher should immediately touch the ball and force it down for the other side furthermore when a kicked ball is likely to go over the line in a goal the end rusher should do his utmost to touch it just before it reaches the five-yard line so that it shall be down at that spot and shall not be brought out to the twenty five-yard line end of section six section seven of a scientific and practical treatise on American football for schools and colleges by Henry L. Williams and almost Alonzo Stagg this Libervox recording is in the public domain section seven the quarterback as popular opinion has always assigned the snapbacks position to the largest man on the eleven so likewise has it given the quarterbacks position to the smallest man there is less reason in having the smallest man quarterback than the largest player at center indeed there is no question that a swift agile man of one hundred and sixty or one hundred and seventy pounds would be the most useful quarterback if his other qualifications are equal the trouble is that the man of such a weight who was qualified to fill the quarterbacks position would be the man who would be most needed at tackle or end or as a running back there is rarely more than one man with these qualifications on the best teams while there are usually several men of sufficient speed and agility among the candidates who perhaps could not be useful in any other position and yet are two skillful players to lose the result is that on university eleven the quarterback is usually a man who weighs from one hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty five pounds is agile and swift is a hard worker with great endurance and unlimited pluck well does he need all of these qualities for he must always be in the thick of the fight no play can take place from a scrimmage without his being a media minutes execution not only in the passing of the ball but also if he does his duty in assisting the runner on his way up the field not that he runs ahead of the runner every time for he is unable to go in front on some plays but he can always get behind to push if the runner is stopped or to block off those who try to tackle him from the rear the quarterbacks position demands a peculiarly heady player at the same time that it calls for agility and quickness no other player on the eleven has to do as much thinking and planning while in the midst of most skillful and invaluable work he has no chance to soldier either mentally or physically as the rest of the eleven may do to a limited extent occasionally during the progress of the game if so disposed his brain must be as clear as his muscles are quick and steady he has to translate with absolute exactness every signal which is given and as accurately carry it out leading the ball in the most advantageous manner possible to the player who is to receive it on no account then must the man be selected for this position who is inclined to become rattled for the position itself is enough to render unsteady the coolest man when the quarterback is appointed to give the signals for the play a new duty emphasizes the importance of his being a heady player for he then is made the general of the game by having this duty to perform his chances for his making a mistake in giving the ball to the wrong player are perhaps slightly decreased but the demand for clever judgment and shrewdness and field tactics more than offsets this the quarterback must know no physical fear he must be fearlessly unconscious that there are several opponents almost within reach of him who are doing their utmost to fall upon him no nervousness must enter into his work else he is not the man for the position in assuming his position on a down the quarterback is allowed considerable freedom some players prefer to receive the ball close up to the center rusher and then move away as they pass it on to the runner others take a position between the two just as far away as is possible while still being able to reach the center conveniently for giving the signal the quarterback who plays close up to the center renders himself liable to be interfered with in his past by the opposite center and guards who may reach over to check his play at the same time he cannot so well take part in the interference on end plays on the other hand the quarterback who takes his position far behind the center is limited in some of his plays he can be of more assistance perhaps in helping on the end plays but it will be impossible for any of the guards and tackles to run with the ball with any chance of gaining ground because they will have to run so far behind the line to receive the ball that they will easily be tackled when the quarterback takes this position he will have to give the signal in some other way than that usually followed it has been customary for the quarterback to press the calf of the center rusher's leg or some other part of his body with his thumb when he is ready for the ball but there are reasons why some other signal would be better at times and the giving of the signal would be of little moment if there is to be a decided advantage gained by playing so far behind the center it is accepted as the best way for the quarterback in playing his position to stand bent over at arm's length from the center with his eyes fixed on the ball he has already learned the position of the player who is about to receive the ball as he glanced around at his team when the signal for the play was given the instant that he gives the signal for the ball to come back he turns quarter round throwing his right or left foot well behind for a brace according as he wishes to pass the ball to the right or left the quarterback must not take his final position for receiving the ball before the signal for the ball to come back is given otherwise the opponents will have time to study out his method of passing for the different plays and can guess in what direction the run will be made it is all done so quickly in the other case that there will be no time to anticipate the play the quarterback should never give his private signal for the ball until the captain has given the signal for the play and then only after he comprehends it himself in a well-drilled 11 the quarterback understands the signal for a play the instant it is given and yet it is not a rare occurrence in important games for signals to be mixed or the key numbers to be left out in that case the quarterback should not signal for the ball until the signal for the play is made plain or a new one given it is now a common practice for the quarterback to give the signals for the play himself whether he is captain or not this has grown out of the fact that he is in one of the best positions for observing the whole field and also because he will no longer need to interpret the signal after it is given but can call for the ball as soon as he thinks best this facilitates the play somewhat and lessens the liability of making mistakes in translating the captain's signal there are three styles of passing a ball used by quarterbacks two of these make use of only one arm and forwarding the ball one by an overhand and straight arm movement especially valuable for passing long distances but too slow for ordinary use the other by an underhand pitch with an easy, natural swing of the arm this latter style is the quickest of the three for no time is lost in raising the arm into a position for delivering the ball this pass supplements the movement of the ball along the ground most quickly and naturally in the third style of passing both hands and arms are used and it is closely allaged to the one underhand pass this ensures accuracy but places limitations on the distance the ball can be thrown it is commonly used in all short passing it would be of great advantage if a quarterback could pass accurately with either hand in receiving the ball from the center the quarterback should stop it with the hand which corresponds to the leg already placed behind for a brace and immediately adjust the other hand to it for a pass this is done by placing one end squarely in the hand from which the pass is to be made and spreading out the fingers the hand should then be bent at the wrist until the ball rests against the forearm the ball is now in a position for a pass care should be taken to have the hand squarely behind the ball also to have the long axis of the ball parallel with the forearm the easiest way to make a long pass is to swing the arm at full length just below the level of the shoulder the quarterback must need give considerable time to practicing all parts of his work in receiving handling and passing the ball it is no easy matter to receive the ball as it comes bounding back from the center rusher and adapt it to the hands for accurate passing while quickly turning into position to deliver it to the runner but it is not necessary for the quarterback to do this in order not to be interfered with by the rushers who break through the line and also not to delay the runner it requires long practice also to be able to handle the ball and to be off the instant the ball is in the hands but it is an achievement which enables the quarterback to be of great service and end interference unless however there is the most skillful handling of the ball it is impossible for the quarterback to get ahead of the runner without delaying him it requires much practice to be able to do quick and accurate passing to be able to place the ball at just the right distance ahead of the runner and at just the right height and at just the right speed so that he shall not be delayed an instant and can give his whole thought to running and dodging too great stress cannot be laid upon quick work by the quarterback it means success or defeat to some of the plays at the same time the quarterback must be exceedingly careful in handling and passing the ball it is better to be a little slow than to be quick and unsteady the ball must never become excited and lose his self control for that would be disastrous to all careful work and also would be likely to cause him to make mistakes and signals on all dashes through the center it is better for the quarterback to make short passes of the ball at the runner's waist the ball must not be passed fast and it must be most accurately placed for the runner is bent over for a plunge and is not in a position to handle it unless on a slow and accurate pass these points are worthy of the most careful consideration for most of the fumbling by the halfbacks is due to poor passing what would ordinarily be an excellent pass if the halfback were at some distance would be a poor one when he is coming forward at full speed with his body somewhat bent at the waist and his attention partly on the ball and partly on the opening he is to take in this case also a high pass is harder to catch than a low one because the hands will have to be raised quickly from their position at the waist the quarterback should also use the greatest care in his pass to the fullback for a kick for a poor pass will most likely result in the opponent stopping the kick and securing the ball on four downs if not on a fumble the fullback can kick most quickly when the ball is passed at his waist some quarterbacks prefer to hand the ball to the runner as he dashes by whenever that is possible this method without a doubt is best when the guard or tackle runs around for a plunge through the line between center and guard or guard and tackle on the other side of the center in this case the quarterback will turn half around with his back to the center rusher the ball being held by the ends between the extended hands in most other cases an advantage is gained by passing the ball because the quarterback will not be in danger of being tackled by the opposing rusher's or quarterback through the line and also because he will be free after his pass to give his whole attention to helping the runner he may do this either by going through the opening and pulling the runner after him by grasping him and going through with him by shoving him hard when he strikes the line or by jumping into an opponent who has broken through in the pass of the runner occasionally it may be better to hand the ball to the runner when the quarterback runs out to the side to interfere for him but even in that case a short pass usually facilitates the play because the quarterback can run faster and do better interference when free from the ball it is of great assistance in getting into the interference on end plays for the quarterback to be able to pass the ball accurately on the run for every fraction of a second counts and making a helpful connection on the defense the quarterback usually hovers in the rear of the center and guards watching his opportunity to go through and tackle the opposing quarter or halfbacks a powerful style of defensive play has now however been largely adopted in which the quarterback takes a position behind one of the tackles while the halfback is brought up to a corresponding position behind the other tackle they there awaits the play without attempting to go through on the instant the ball is snapped and as the line of the opponent separates for the play the one on whose side of the center the opening is made dives into to meet the runner before he can strike the line he must know just when to go through the line and when to wait in order to see where to meet the play also through which opening in the line to go in order to best check the play some shrewd guessing can be done which will help determine this by noting all the signs of the direction of the play spoken of in the chapter on team play the center and guards and sometimes the tackles should help the quarterback find his opening and assist him in getting through the quarterback should always be helped through when the opposing team is going to kick since it will be much easier for him to go through quickly on account of his sides and quickness and starting if the rushers in the quarterback work together on the defense the latter can be a most valuable adjunct to their play because he is free to move anywhere when a runner is checked or tackled the quarterback has indeed all the 11 should endeavor to pull the ball out of his hands before he calls down the quarterback often has a good chance to do this when the runner is entangled in a mass end of section 7