Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-17
HONG KONG LOW,

to correctly estimate the distance for
dive. When the form has ben mastered
the squad is set to tackling n man with
the ball and practiced in bringing down n
runner In the open field.
In the meantime the backs have been
coached on catching punts. hurdling. side
stepping, using the straight arm. drag
cling the runner and the dozens Of little
tricks essential 10 a good ground gamer:
while the forwards have been drilled in
charging. breaking through using the
hands, elbows. shoulders, knees and other
things the giants o. the team must know.
Thus the first week or ten days is spent
in acquiring the rudments and hardening
the men SO thoroughly that the danger OF
injury is minmiZed. By this time the
most promising men have been picked out
and tentative varsity" and scrub teams
may be formed. From this point the work
progresses rapidly. Plays are worked out.
each man being shown his place. and sig
nails practiced until one could run
through them in his sleep. AS soon as the
signals are mastered the varsity and scrub
are ready to line up for the first practice
scrimmage. With the scrimmage defen-
sive work is begun; the scrubs are given
the ball and each varsity man is shown
just what part he must take In stopping
their onslaughts. In some formations he
must hurl himself into. the Interference;
in others he must wait for the runner to
insure perfect team work he must be
drilled until he knows instinctively and
instantly what is expected of him in every
casa This is equally true in the play
when his side has the ball; he must leap
into his place in the interference without
a seconds hesitation.
The scrimmage increases in length and
ierceness as the players become hardened.
In them the coach experiments with his
lineup. shifting men from position to po-
sition and from team to team. A few days
before the first gale he has settled pretty
well in his own mind on whom and what
he will play during the season. There is.
however no real hurry about deciding
doubtful cases for by a simple arrange
understandable for the mutual satisfac-
tion it affords-both large colleges and
the first month of play. During this time
the small colleges try their luck against
the large ones; they take a good beating
for the experience gained. while the uni
yersties gladly avail themselves of an
opportunity to try things on the dog
without risk Of disaster. Therefore as the
season approaches its climax natural RI
walls are thrown together to night 1t out
with veteran teams.
After the first game work begins In ear
nest From that time on there Is game
each Saturday, with perhaps midweek
game as we'll. The coach sees the faults
and Weaknesses brought out In the games
and strives during the weeks practice TO
eliminate them. Every day, rain or shine
finds the men hard at work; new plays are
tried. old signals practiced. overtrained
me mare rested and soft men are worked
The coach strains every nerve to have mis-
team show constant Improvement with
every game so that on the great Novem-
Der day he will SEM onto the field
lighting machine sc powerful and smooth
running that IL will deserve the support
of the cheering thousands.