Fig 1.—Punt Formation Pass.
Fig. 2.—Undesirable Pass.
A quick shift of left end to the line and right half one yard back (or even played as it is) gives an equally good formation for run or pass to the right, the corresponding players going to the corresponding positions and everybody swinging and turning toward the right.
Against this type of play contrast the above (Fig. 2) which, though it has often proven surprisingly successful, seems to the writer to violate most of the principles above outlined. The ends coming in are at no advantage over the defense. Thehalves going outward have no interference and there is almost no defense for possible interception.
Fig. 3.—Springfield-Carlisle Indian Pass.
Fig. 4.—Spread Formation Pass.
One of the earliest successful forward pass formations was a widespread one devised and used by Dr. J. H. McCurdy of theSpringfield team in the Springfield-Carlisle Indian game of 1912 (Fig. 3). In this the line was spread out practically across the whole field. It was used for kicking as well, and the whole line was sent down to stop the wonderful Thorpe. The play was good enough to produce twenty-four points against the wonderful Indian team of that year, although the game was won by the Indians 30-24.
The play is given here partly because of its historical value, but also because the principle is still good.
Spread formations somewhat modified from the above are still proving very successful, the following serving to again illustrate the principles of the preceding chapter (Fig. 4).
In this formation tackles are out seven to ten yards, halves about three yards back and full is back thirteen to fifteen yards. From this formation line bucks, end runs, double pass end runs, kicks and forward passes may be used. Quick variations may also be made to make tackles eligible if desired.
The formations outlined will doubtless sufficiently illustrate the principles discussed. There is no limit to the possibilities. The kick and spread formations here given alone possess sufficient possibilities for a team’s entire season’s repertoire of open plays. A common mistake is to attempt too large and varied an assortment of these plays.
There is no defense for the forward pass. In reality the pass cannot be prevented, particularly in the center of the field. Yet from the unwillingness of some of the great football leaders to adopt this style of game one would infer that it is a worthless game, difficult to succeed with and easy of defense. This is the point of view of a number of teams. Yet it is interesting to note that these are the very teams that have had no adequate forward pass defense.
Thus far most teams have trusted to luck against the forward passing game. The inefficiency and mechanical errors of its offense, aided by the restrictive legal measures adopted, have conspired to make this possible. Signs are not lacking, however, to indicate a greatly increased use of the passing game, an improved understanding and appreciation of its fundamental principles and a much greater degree of success for it. The defense for the forward pass will need to be studied with great care in the immediate future.
The writer does not pretend to have solved this problem. His interest has been rather on the other side. The following suggestions are offered simply as a beginning:
First, “hurry the pass.” Some man or men, not the entire line, should go through and force the pass at the earliest possible moment, downing the passer, blocking the pass or forcing it to be made before the eligible men are ready or the passer has been able to locate them. This greatly increases the chance of mechanical failure. Generally this should be done by the ends. Some teams send the tackles in also. Some send tackles in and have the ends wait. This frequently helps against the pass but makes end running very easy.
Second, block eligible men. This of course can only be done before the pass is made. But there is often an appreciable timebefore the pass is made when eligible men could be blocked on the line of scrimmage. This is the best work of the center trio rather than charging through.
Third, play a zone defense having each defensive back cover an area and play the ball coming into that area rather than attempt to follow individually eligible men.
Fourth, use the open defense (Fig. 5); that is, play the center out of the line and with the full back about three yards behind tackle. This defense is supposed to make center bucking easy, but it does not if the defensive line is properly coached. This first line of secondary defense is in position to intercept short passes or to help stop eligible men on the scrimmage line. They are also in the best possible position to assist on outside tackle and end runs while still in position to block center bucks. In the judgment of the writer this is the best all-round defense yet devised for the modern open game of football.
Fig. 5.—Open Defense.
The open defense should be played as follows: Guards play to the center, low, hard and stalling, not knifing through. Tackles fight their way into the play through opposing end. Ends play as close as possible, often not over two yards outside their own tackle and tear into every play smashing the interference and hurrying passes. Center and full play about three yards behind tackle, usually a trifle inside and wait until they diagnose the play,then meet it. These men must be the best tacklers on the team and fast, for if the tackles and ends accomplish their work these men have their opportunity. Backs play from seven to ten yards back and nearly straight behind end. Quarter or safety man should play as close as he dares to, considering the possibility of quick punts. This may be generally closer than most quarters play.
The defense with spread formations and for special plays is still too much a matter of individual opinion to be discussed here.
BASEBALL NOTESFORCOACHES and PLAYERSBYELMER BERRYFootball and Baseball CoachInternational Y. M. C. A. CollegeSpringfield, Mass.REVISED EDITIONA practical handbook on the game of baseball, arranged in outline note form so that the book may become truly a useful repository of baseball knowledge and practice.CONTENTSBattingBuntingBase Running and StealingPosition PlayOffensive Team PlayDefensive Team PlayBattery StrategyTraining a College TeamOrganized Baseball8vo cloth, illustrated with cuts and diagrams of actual play.Interleaved with blank pages for notes, etc. Price $2.00A. S. BARNES & CO.,PublishersNEW YORK
BASEBALL NOTESFORCOACHES and PLAYERSBYELMER BERRYFootball and Baseball CoachInternational Y. M. C. A. CollegeSpringfield, Mass.REVISED EDITIONA practical handbook on the game of baseball, arranged in outline note form so that the book may become truly a useful repository of baseball knowledge and practice.CONTENTSBattingBuntingBase Running and StealingPosition PlayOffensive Team PlayDefensive Team PlayBattery StrategyTraining a College TeamOrganized Baseball8vo cloth, illustrated with cuts and diagrams of actual play.Interleaved with blank pages for notes, etc. Price $2.00A. S. BARNES & CO.,PublishersNEW YORK
BASEBALL NOTESFORCOACHES and PLAYERS
BYELMER BERRYFootball and Baseball CoachInternational Y. M. C. A. CollegeSpringfield, Mass.
REVISED EDITION
8vo cloth, illustrated with cuts and diagrams of actual play.Interleaved with blank pages for notes, etc. Price $2.00
A. S. BARNES & CO.,PublishersNEW YORK
Transcriber’s Notes:
Images have been moved from the middle of a paragraph to a nearby paragraph break.
The text in the list of illustrations is presented as in the original text, but the links navigate to the page number closest to the illustration’s loaction in this document.