The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-07
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THE FOOTBALL "aRIDIRoN."

THE FOOTBALL "aRIDIRoN."
to earth in a tangle Of arms and legs are i'm
pressed with the idea that:there is no science in
the game of football, but that it Is o struggle In
which fighting proclivities. brute strength, and
hotheadedness prevail at all times. But stu
dents of the game, men who havesplayed 1t and
who watch the movements of Its players as IL
on a chess board, appreciate the scientific plays
and can pick out flaws and faults that are not
seen by novices.
It IL probable that a few followers of football
do not know the essential duties of the players
who make up a team. 1t Is also q fact that
many persons do not know that whenever q sin
gle play ia made by q team the entire eleven
becomes involved, although perhaps several Of
the players do not seem to be mixed up. Run
ming with the ball successfully necessitates
moro genuine science and skill than the aver
age person has any idea OF. Interference"
covers a point in football that means almost the
entire success Of a team. In the old days be.
fore interference was known, football was q
game Of individuals. That Is why 1t was a sport
in which'team play did not cut much of a figure
and science was not tho chief factor. But
with the progress Rado In coaching, football
soon developed into q contest of not only
strength, courage, nerve, and skill, but also Of
brains.
The rush line is really tho most important
part OF a football eleven. 1t Is, so to speak, the
skirmish line US well as the chief fertilization
against the assaults of the enemy. 1t is made
mp Of seven men, three on each side Of the Gem
tire rush, the player who handles the ball before
1t Is put in play. On the centres immediate
right and left are the guards next to whom
ara the tackles" with the ends on tho two
extremes. These seven mon are carefully
trained and arc coached In various departments
OF play which are almost nrmbsrless.
Tho duties Of tho "centre rush" arc Important
factors in successful team play. lie not only
puts the ball In play by swapping 1t back to the
Gearter back. but he Is called upon TO stand In.
cossant attacks directly aimed at his position.
He must BIO big. strong, and, IL possible. fast
on his feet. After swapping the bali in play. II
Is his duty either to plunge forward into tho OPP
posing centre rush or lift him to ono side,
whichever way his own team Is carrying the
ball. In dealing with the opposing contro rush
he may dispose OF him in two ways: Either by
falling on him II he Is down low, or by lifting
him up II he Is reaching over him. In lefen
Biye play the centre must not stand still and
block his opponent. but must ondeuvor to throw
tho opposing snap-back 10 one sido and break
through ON the quarter back or the man who ha,
the ball. On plays around the end, tho centrt
can make himself useful by running over e
one side of Tho held and taking u chance ut al
opponent with tho ball. 1t is also his duty Il
break through tho line in an endeavor to blocI
punts. The best way for u contre 10 do this IL
to give his opponents arm a sudden jerk Il
one side and slip through the opening on tn
other side II possible. But ouch IL move can
not DO made without tho assistance OF one o
the guards.
The guards must be more active than the cen
tre. Among the most important duties CT
pectod OF them are blocking or guarding aRainS
the attacks OF opponents OH the centre. pro
viding interference for tho man on their sid
who carries the ball, taking tho oval them
selves now and Ihen, blocking punts. tacklinI
opponents after breaking through the line
and making holes in the opposing line. throug
which they can drag or push one OF their ow
toam. All OF their plays must be made Wit
qutcInosA and great strength. for delays an