The sun., 1904-11-26
ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.
Points About the Game. which Is Steadily
Gaining Headway Here.


obtrusive way is gradually forging ahead
in New York. There are a mum ber Of clu bs
which play the game, in the immediate
vicinity OF the city, and their matches are
always followed by interested crowds Of
spectators. At Prospect Park on election
day between 1900 and 10000 persons wit
messed the game played there between
the Brooklyn Football Club and the Frater-
nal A. C., while every Saturday large crowds
watch the games Of the former club.
II would be q peculiar fact if the game
did not attract considerable attention IN
this country, for in England, Scotland and
Ireland it has supplanted all other winter
sports in popularity. its inherent merits
being recognized by enormous crowds
which witness the matches contested every
Saturday throughout the country. As
many az 100000 spectators have attended
a champion ship match, while 10000 is con-
sidered an ordinary crowd at game.
In fact, the football craze is so prevalent
now in gland that the large manufact-
urers are casting g about for means to check
1t. In the north Of England it is not an
mfrequent occurrence for ses eral factories
to be closed on the day of q big game. The
men simply will not go to work when al
important match is on, and the factory has
no remedy for it. A leading magazine IN
England thus describes the conditions
which exist in respect to the game:
Large employers of labor in Yorkshire,
In Lancashire, IN Durham and in Northum-
berland, as well as in the Midlands, have
been obliged to yield to the rush of the tide
and are now powerless to command the
~. 80 tl,.-. - T1N
ball. Events such as the laun ching OF
ship or the completion of an important
order within contract time, have frequently
been delayed by the coin cidence Of cup
de- Large establishments are frequently
closed in midweeb because the whole
body OF work men take it into their heads
that their pets on the football grounds re-
quire encouragement. II these men were
ordinary hewers OF wood lnd drawers Of
water, remedy might be found. but they
are chiefly skilled laborers-ear1 ing goo od
wages-who need never be out Of work
and who. if turned of. would be eagerly
snapped up by e rival
While it is not to G desired that any such
state Of things as this should prevail in the
United States, the game undoubtedly de-
serves greater share OF popularity than 1t
has obtained. It has much to recommend
it, as might be inferred from the enthusi-
asn exhibited over it by the Rriton, and
it can be played when the hard ground
makes Rugby impossible.
Extreme physical strength is unneces-
sary, while ouickness Of mind and limb
are the sine quo non of success. The con-
tinual action, the constant possibilities
for brilliant runs and the patent beauty Of
simple combination are great attractions
for the spectator. The technical rules
are of course entirely different from the
intercollegiate game, and even the goal
posts are not the same size CT height. .icc-
dents are rare, as only charging with the
body is permitted. BY expert intercollegi-
ate players it has been admitted to be
scientific and exciting game. combining hard
exercise with chance for skill and judgment.
In New York the pcpuls rity of the game
has suffered from the elects of boom,
premature and i'll advised The boom con-
sisted III the formation OF u professional
lea que, which attempted TO force the pas
time into public favor by presenting its
worst side. Even if well managed the at
tempt would have been fr7ntless, and will
be so until the rising generation spontan-
eously show their appreciation CT the game.
As result, the general public was disop-
pointed, and thought. perhaps, less Of the
game than before.
The rules Of the game are frdrued to pre-
vent acciIent=, aild ID L. seloem that
PLAYER receives a serious injury. The team
comprises eleven players, arrangei Us five
forwards, thee half backs, two fun backs
and goal keepe'. The goal keeper is the
only man allowe TO hanile the ball. and this
he can GO only in defence of the goal 6e
can hit il. throw il or kicl, it at pleasure,
but is not allowed to carry it.
The full backs are selected for their
gooi kicAing qualities and assist the goal
keeper in de'enGing their territory They
are usually heavy men. and in addition
to being GOOD kickers should be nrm on
their feet. In advance of the full backs
are the half backs-rlght, centre and left
ami theirs is a most important duty. They
have to be most unselfsh PLAYERS, for no
sooner Go they receive the ball than it Is
their Guty TO pass it along to the forwards.
They have to keep a vicuant watch on the
PLAYERS in front OF them, for it is a most
essential pet OF the play to pass the baI
to the foTwart: who hos the most advan-
tagsous position for a long -Gribble." Us
the action Of CARRYING the ball along with
the feet without kicking II too far IN front
is called.
The forwards are divided into two right
wings as the players on the right Of the
feli are callei. ani two left wings" as
those on the left are Gc7ignateS. with a
centre" between the wings. The right
wings are called outside right and -insice
and the centre. 1t il important
that they kick well with the right foot.
The 'left wings" are divided in the same
way and have the same combination but
il is important that they should kick well
with the left foot.
There are certain techmcalities In the
game, such as the off-side" rule, penalty
kick" and so forth, which it is not absolutely
necessary for the spectator to understsnd
in order to enjoy seeing game. 1t Is easily
recognized that the players are endea voring
to kick the ball between the goal posts
and under the cross bar and as this Is the
only point scored in the game, there Is no
dificultv in calculating which side leads,
The game can be played on field from
100 to 200 yards long by so to 100 wide. The
goal posts are s feet high and distant from
one another feet, with cross bar on top.
The game begins by kick from the centre
Of the field in the direction Of the opposite
goal line. The time Of play is usually two
halves Of IS minutes, but this can be changed