Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-31
l.. II. r. II.
X F. X
IL X IA

In the above diagram the KS represent
the eleven players lined up in their re-
spective positions ready for the signal. The
players are taking them in order, as in
oicated by the abbreviation above each ";
left end, left tackle, left guard, center,
right guard, right tackle, right end quarter
back, left half-back, right half-back, full
back. Each of the men who ordinarily do
the running with the ball is also designated
In the diagram by a number: that is, left
guard is designated j; left tackle, Z; left
half-back, Ii; right guard 4; right tackle,
8; right half-back, Ia, and full back, IL.
The two ends, who comparatively seldom
get the ball to run with, and the center and
quarterback, who run with IL only in very
exceptional cases, are not considered as
ground gamers In this explanation of sig
mailing, and, therefore. are not designated
by numbers i'm the diagram.
The six spaces between the seven PLAYERS
in the line are designated as shown in the
diagram. as follows: Between center and
left guard, 1; left guard and left tackle, .:
left tackle and left end, -; center and right
guard, =, right guard and right tackle, O:
right tackle and right end. TO- The spaces
beyond each end are designated by Nos.
IL and II for left and right ends respec-
lively.
1t will be perceived that all the players
and spaces on the left of the center are
designated by odd, ana those on the right
by even numbers The full-back is num-
bered IL simply so as to make the numbers
consecutive from 1 TO IL inclusive. The
position, inasmuch as il is neutral as be-
tween the left and right of the center, so
far as this system is concerned, might have
been designs ted indifferently by either an
odd even number.
Surprising the members of the team 70
have committed TO memory the numbers as
applied in this system, and to be thoroughly
familiar with them, as they needs must be
in order that they may work smoothly. the
subject of the manner of using the numbers
may be taken up.
The simplest way In which the signals
I,a .rfxrn 80 h. .V.,..,
ter-back, who usually gives them, as he
has to pass the ball, and can usually do
this more surely if he himself decides be-
forehand upon the man to whom he shall
pass II, is to give first what is technically
known as a blum number and means moth
ing, and to follow this with the number of
the player who is to take the ball. and the
number of the space where he is to en-
deayor to advance.
For example, the quarterback wishes
the lett half-back to go around the right
end. The signal would be 1-l3-l2. The
first number being the bluff, and having no
significance, may, OF course, be any number
at all
IL the play desired were to have the right
guard run with the ball between center
and left guard the signal would be o-i-l.
This is the principle of the whole system.
In case this system is so simple that the
opponents would discover the meaning OF
the signals, as might easily happen, IL
would only be necessary to change the
common ways OF doing this would be TO
have the sum of the first two numbers of a
signal be the number of the player who
is to take the ball, and have these followed
by the number of the space through which
he Is to go. Thus, 4-a-G-21-l2 would
mean that the left tackle q plus g. equal ~
is to run between the right guard ana
tackle. Nos. II and l. being simply given
haphaZard without any real meaning.
SILL given as n signal would mean thlt
the right half-back g plus o. equal li) Is
to run around the left end.
In this way. or by still further changing
the order OF giving the signal NUMBERS, tnc
opponents may usually be Kept IN ignor-
ancc of the offensive sides intentions.
Sometimes. however, il Is found necessary
to change TO an entirely different system
of signals to that which has been in use.
as for n team used TO signals of various
sorts il is sometimes an easy matter to
make out system Of signaling.
The signal for a kick is very simple
thing usually, and might in this system be
made any number between thirty and forty.
Thus, when the system is TO have the sum
of TIL first two numbers count for the
player the signal for the full-back to kick
might be i-S-35. Different numbers might
be added to nave the ball kicked I'm n GER
tain direction. The different combinations
of numbers, which may be made by the
use of this simple system of signals, can be
readily perceived. This system. as outlined.
could be put to any use in playing straight
foot ball If it is desired to introduce trick
plays or TO vary the game In other ways,
the system has only to be extended nd lib.