The San Francisco call., 1896-11-01
SOME FOOTBALL DON IT'S
Walter Camp Defines a Great
Player and What He
Should Not Do.
An Instructive List of Hints for
Use on the Grid.
iron.

Walter Camp of Yale, "the father O
football" " and L. F. Delard, the great Har
ward football strategist. have published
list of some of the most important foot
ball ''dop'ts." The list is instructive ir
outlining what constitutes really grea
player, while at the same time it estab
fishes standard by which men in a con.
test may be measured irrespective of theil
occasional star performances. The lis
follows:
stantly after each down. Your game is twice
as effective if there are no delays.
Don't slug. Scrapping is not football. More
than this, it prevents good playing.
Don't wait for the opposing runner in the
line. Break through and stop him before he
reaches the line.
Don't tackle above, the waist or below the
knees, but always at the hips. When about to
tackle keep your eyes on the runners hips and
he cannot 80 readily deceive you in his move
ments.
Don't let any player whom you tackle gain
an inch afterward. Never let him gain mis-
length by falling forward. Lift him off his
feet and throw him back toward his goal.
Don't fail to try to take the ball away from
an opponent when he is tackled. Make q fea.
ture OF this and you will succeed oftener than
you anticipate.
the ball ITSELF Keep your mind on the ball.
Follow its every motion to drop on it after any
tumble or misplay.
Don't be satisfied with a superficial knowl-
edge of the rules. Master every detail.
Don't let your opponent know when or
where you are hurt.
Don't make excuses, however good they may
be. There is no room in football for excuses.
Dom ans wer back to a coach upon the field,
even II you know him to be wrong. Do ex-
actly what he tells you TO do, SO far as you are
able, and remember that strict obedience is
the first requirement OF a player.
Don't lose your temper. The man who can
not control his temper has no business on the
football field.
Don't be one minute late to practice The
hour named is the hour for you to be on hand.
Ii you have not interest enough to be prompt,
resign from the game at once, for you have
not the proper spirit for victory.
Don't let half the pl ayers of your team be in
their positions on any lineup before you have
taken yours.
Don't forget the vital principle OF team play,
which cannot be too cften impressed upon the
mind. 1t is this: Team play begins the in
slant the center receives the ball from the
hands of the runner In other words, it is q
part OF team play, and the most i'm portant
part, 10 line up more quickly than your oppo-
nents This is the very truest sort of team
play, yet the delay of one single man in tax
ing his place will ruin it com Iletely.
Don't be an automaton. Thoroughly master
each principle and then vary your play as
emergencies arise.
Don't let any man be ahead OF you in drop.
ping on the ball when it is fumbled.
Don't fail to try to be in every interference
ner, and watch for a chance to push him or
receive the ball from him when he is tackled
Don't play high If you are checking an inter-
ference or running as part OF the interfer.
ference. When you drop out of an interfer-
ence meet your opponent as low as possible
DON'T fail to go down the field under every
kick.
Don't forget the rule that your own runner
must never be alone when he is tackled.
Don't shlrk any required study or work for
tball. Earn the right to play football or
don't attempt 1t.
Don't be discouraged with your abilities or
prowess. The right spirit in football is worth
more than anything. Be sure you have that
and your chances OF success are good
Don't whine about decisions which seem un-
fair. Accept only honest, fearless officials;
and then leave the game in their hands.
Dop't do anything to undermine discipline.
or you are putting the ak at the very root OF
the tree. ...
Don't be careless about guards. protectors,
or padding over any weak, injured or exposed
part OF the body. One negligence may cost
you the seasons playing.